4012, 

ism 



20 Ooxxtsi. 




at CLOTH BIB DING for this volume can be obtained from any bookseller or newsdealer, price 15ct* 



LOVELL'S LIBRARY.-CATALOGUE. 



i. Hyperion 20 

2. Outre-Mer 20 

3. The Happy Boy 10 

4. Arne 10 

5. Frankenstein 10 

6. TheLast of theMohicans.20 

7. Clytie 20 

8. The Moonstone, Part 1 . 10 

9. The Moonstone, Part II. 10 

10. Oliver Twist 20 

11. The Coming Race 10 

12. Leila 10 

13.. The Three Spaniards... 20 

14. Tttie Tricks of the Greeks. 20 

15. L' Abbe" Constantin 20 

16. Freckles .' 20 

17. The Dark Colleen 20 

18. They were Married .... 10 

19. Seekers After God 20 

20. The Spanish Nun 10 

21. Green Mountain Boys.. 20 

22. Fleurette. 20 

23. SecondTThoughts 20 

24. The New Magdalen .... 20 

25. Divorce . 20 

26. Life of Washington 20 

27. Social Etiquette 15 

28. Single Heart, Double 
1* Face 10 

29. Irene ; or, The Lonely 

Manor 20 

30. Vice Versa 20 

31. Ernest Maltravers 20 

32. The Haunted House. . . 10 
33> John Halifax 20 

34. 800 Leagues on the 
Amazon 10 

35. The Cryptogram 10 

36. Life of Marion 20 

37. Paul and Virginia 10 

38. A Tale of Two Cities. . . .20 

39. The Hermits 20 

40. An Adventure in Thule, 
etc 10 

41. A Marriage in High Life2o 

42. Robin 20 

43. Two on a Tower 20 

44. Rasselas 10 

45. Alice; a sequel to Er- 

nest Maltravers 20 

46. Duke of Kandos 20 

47. Baron Munchausen 10 

48. A Princess of Thule.... 20 

49. The Secret Despatch.. . .20 

50. Early Days of Christian- 
t* ity, 2 Parts, each 20 

51. Vicar of Wakefield 10 

52. Progress and Poverty... 20 

53. The Spy 20 

54. East Lynne 20 

55. A Strange Story?. 20 

56. Adam Bede, Part 1 15 

- Adam Bede, Part II... .15 

57. The Golden Shaft 20 

58. Portia 20 

59. Last Days of Pompeii. . . 20 

60. The Two Duchesses .20 

61. TomBrown'sSchoolDays.20 

62. Wooing O't, 2 Pts. each. 1 5 

63. The Vendetta 20 

64. Hypatia, Part 1 15 

Hypatia, Part II... ...15 



65. Selma 15 

66. Margaret and her Brides- 
maids 20 

67. Horse Shoe Robinson, 

2 Parts, each 15 

68. Gulliver's Travels 20 

69. Amos Barton 10 

70. The Berber 20 

71. Silas Marner 10 

72. Queen of the County . . .20 

73. Life of Cromwell 15 

74. Jane Eyre 20 

75. Child'sHist'ry of Engl'd. 20 

76. Molly Bawn 20 

77. Pillone 15 

78. Phyllis .20 

79. Romola, Part 1 15 

Romola ; Part II 15 

80. Science in ShortChapters. 20 

81. Zanom 20 

82. A Da"ghter of Heth 20 

83. Right ~nd Wrong Uses of 

the Bible 20 

84. Night and Morning,Pt. 1. 15 
Nightand M orning,Pt. 1 1 15 

85. Shandon Bells ro 

86. Monica 10 

87. Heart and Science 20 

88. The Golden Calf 20 

89. The Dean's Daughter... 20 

90. Mrs. Geoffrey 20 

1 91. Pickwick Papers, Part 1 . 20 
Pickwick Papers.Part 1 1. 20 

92. Airy, Fairy Lilian 20 

93. Macleod of Dare 20 

94. Tempest Tossed, Part 1. 20 
Tempest Tossed ? P't 1 1. 20 

95. Letters from High Lat- 
/» itudes. ...-. 20 

96." Gideon Fleyce 20 

97. India and Ceylon 20 

98. The Gypsy Queen 20 

99. The Admiral's Ward. . . .20 
00. Nimport, 2 Parts, each.. 15 

> Harry Holbrooke. 20 

02. Tritons, 2 Parts, each . . 15 

03. Let Nothing You Dismay. 10 

04. LadyAudley's Secret... 20 

05. Woman's Place To-day. 20 

06. Dtrnallan, 2 parts, each. 15 

07. Housekeeping and Home 
making 15 

08. No New Thing 20 

09. TheSpoopendykePapers.20 

10. False Hopes... 15 

11. Labor and Capital 20 

i2« Wanda, 2 parts, each ... 15 

13. More Words about Bible. 20 

14. Monsieur Lecocq, P't. 1. 20 
Monsieur Lecocq, Pt. 1 1. 2<m 

15. An Outjine of Irish Hist. 10* 

16. The Lerouge Case 20 

17. Paul Clifford 20 

18. A New Lease of Life.. .20 

19. Bourbon Lilies 20 

20. Other People's Money.. 20 

21. Lady of Lyons 10 

22. Ameline de Bourg 15 

23. A Sea Queen 20 

24. The Ladies Lfindores. ..20 

25* Haunted Hearts 10 

2& Loya,LordBeresford...ao 



127. 

28. 
29. 

30. 

3i- 
32. 

33. 

34- 
35- 
36. 
37- 
38. 
39- 
40. 
41. 
42. 
•>> 

43- 
44. 

45- 

46. 

47- 
48. 

49- 
5o- 

5i- 

52. 
53- 
S3- 
54- 
*» 
55. 
56. 
57- 

58. 

59- 
60. 
61. 
62. 
63. 
64. 
65. 
66. 

67. 

68. 
69. 
70. 

71- 
72. 

73. 
74- 
75- 
76. 
77- 
78. 
79- 
80. 
81. 
82. 
83^ 
84. 
85. 



Under Two Flags, Pt 1. 30 
Under Two Flags, Pt II.20 

Money 10 

In Peril of His Life 20 

India ; What can it teach 

us? 20 

Jets and Flashes 20 

Moonshine and Margue- 
rites 10 

Mr. Scarborough's 
Family, 2 Parts, each . . 15 

Arden 15 

Tower of Percemont. . . .20 

Yolande 20 

Cruel London 20 

The Gilded Clique 20 

Pike County Folks 20 

Cricket on the Hearth . . io 

Henry Esmond 20 

Strange Adventures of a 

Phaeton 20 

Denis Duval 10 

OldCuriosityShop.P't 1. 15 
01dCuriosityShop,P'rt II. 15 

Ivanhoe, Part 1 15 

Ivanhoe, Part II 15 

White Wings 20 

The Sketch Book 20 

Catherine 10 

Janet's Repentance 10 

Barnaby Rudge, Part I.. 15 
Barnaby Rudge, Part II. 15 

Felix Holt 20 

Richelieu 10 

Sunrise, Part 1 15 

Sunrise, Part II 15 

Tour of the World in 80 

Days 20 

Mystery of Orcival 20 

Lovel, the Widower .... 10 
Romantic Adventures of 

a Milkmaid 10 

DavidCopperfield,Part I.20 
DavidCopperfield,P'rt 1 1. 20 
Charlotte Temple. . . . . 10 
Rienzi, 2 Parts, each ... 15 
Promise of Marriage. ... 10 

Faith and Unfaith .20 

The Happy Man 10 

Barry Lyndon 20 

Eyre's Acquittal 10 • 

20,000 Leagues Under the 

Sea 20 

Anti-Slavery Days.' 20 

Beauty's Daughters 20 

Beyond the Sunrise 20 

Hard Times 20 

Tom Cringle's Log .... »** 

Vanity Fair 

Underground Russia. . . .20 
Middlemarch,2 Pts. each.20 

Sir Tom 20 

Pelham 20 

The Story of Ida .10 

Madcap Violet 20' 

The Little Pilgrim 10 

Kilmeny 20 

Whist, or Bumblepuppy ?. 10 
That Beautiful Wretch. .20 

Her Mother's Sin 20 

Green Pastures, etc .... .20 
Mysterious Island, Pt 1. 1% 



THE . 



LIGHT OF ASIA 



BEING 



THE LIFE AM) TEACHINGS OF GAUTAMA, 

P*»ce oC *n<n a and Founder of Buddhism. 



Bv 



EDWIN ARNOLD.. M.A. 

■WITH NOTES 

B y MRS. I. L . HAU 



SE R, 



NEW YORK: , 

JOHN W. LOVELL COMPANY, 
14 an d 16 Vesey Street. 



Copyright. 1882, 
By Tse Useful Knowledge Publishing Company. 



iSfff from 

Vtrs. Etta F. Win 

Sep't: 2C 1932 



TROW'8 

PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY, 

NEW YORK. 









THIS VOLUME 



IS DTTTIFUIXY INSCRIBED TO 



THE SOVEREIGN, GRAND MASTER, AND QOMPANIONS 



®t)£ Jtt0St <&%alttb ©rfcer of t^e Star af SnMa 



Br 



THE AUTHOR. 



§ 






VI PREFACE. 



ious ideas to this illustrious prince, whose personality, 
though imperfectly revealed in the existing sources of in- 
formation, cannot but appear the highest, gentlest, holiest, 
and most beneficent, with one exception, in the history of 
Thought. Discordant in frequent particulars, and sorely 
overlaid by corruptions, inventions, and misconceptions, 
the Buddhistical books yet agree in the one point of re- 
cording nothing — no single act or word — which mars the 
perfect purity and tenderness of this Indian teacher, who 
united the truest princely qualities with the intellect of a 
sage and the passionate devotion of a martyr. Even M. 
Barthelemy St. Hilaire, totally misjudging, as he does, 
many points of Buddhism, is well cited by Professor Max 
Muller as saying of Prince Sidd&rtha, " Sa vie n'a point de 
'cache. Son constant heroisme egale sa conviction ; et si 
la theorie qu'il preconise est fausse, les exemples person- 
nels qu'il donne sont irr^prochables. II est le modele 
achieve de toutes les vertus qu'il preche ; son abnegation, 
sa charite, son inalterable douceur ne se dementent point 
un seul instant. ... II prepare silencieusement sa doc- 
trine par six annees de retraite et de meditation ; il la pro- 
page par la seule puissance de la parole et de la persua- 
sion pendant plus d'un demi-si^cle, et quand il meurt 
entre les bras de ses disciples, c'est avec la serenite d'un 
sage qui a pratique le bien toute sa vie, et qui est assure' 
d 'avoir trouve le vrai." To Gautama has consequently 
been given this stupendous conquest of humanity ; and — • 
though he discountenanced ritual, and declared himself, 
even when on the threshold of Nirvana, to be only what 
all other men might become — the love and gratitude of 
Asia, disobeying his mandate, have given, him fervent 



PREFACE. Vll 

worship. Forests of flowers are daily laid upon his stain- 
less shrines, and countless millions of lips daily repeat the 
formula, " I take refuge in Buddha ! " 

The Buddha of this poem — if, as need not be doubted, 
lie really existed — was born on the borders of Nepaul, 
about 620 B.C., and died about 543 B.C. at Kusinagara in 
Oudh. In point of age, therefore, most other creeds are 
youthful compared with this venerable religion, which has 
in it the eternity of a universal hope, the immortality of a 
boundless love, an indestructible element of faith in final 
good, and the proudest assertion ever made of human 
freedom. The extravagances which disfigure the record 
and practice of Buddhism are to be referred to that in- 
evitable degradation which priesthoods always inflict upon 
great ideas committed to their charge. The power and 
sublimity of Gautama's original doctrines should be es- 
timated by their influence, not by their interpreters ; nor 
by that innocent but lazy and ceremonious church which 
has arisen on the foundations of the Buddhistic Brother- 
hood or "Sangha." 

I have put my poem into a Buddhist's mouth, because, 
to appreciate the spirit of Asiatic thoughts, they should 
be regarded from the Oriental point of view ; and neither 
the miracles which consecrate this record, nor the phi- 
losophy which it embodies, could have been otherwise so 
naturally reproduced. The doctrine of Transmigration, 
for instance — startling to modern minds — was established 
and thoroughly accepted by the Hindus of Buddha's time ; 
that period when Jerusalem was being taken by Nebu- 
chadnezzar, when Nineveh was falling to the Medefe, and 
Marseilles was founded by the Phocseans. The exposi* 



Vlll PREFACE. 

tion here offered of so antique a system is of necessity- 
incomplete, and- — in obedience to the laws of poetic art — 
passes rapidly by many matters philosophically most im- 
portant, as well as over the long ministry of Gautama. 
But my purpose has been obtained if any just conception 
be here conveyed of the lofty character of this noble 
prince, and of the general purport of his doctrines. As to 
these there has arisen prodigious controversy among the 
erudite, who will be aware that I have taken the imper- 
fect Buddhistic citations much as they stand in Spence 
Hardy's work, and have also modified more than one 
passage in the received narratives. The views, however, 
here indicated of " Nirvana," " Dharma," " Karma," and 
the other chief features of Buddhism, are at least the 
fruits of considerable study, and also of a firm conviction 
that a third of mankind would never have been brought to 
believe in blank abstractions, or in Nothingness as the 
issue and crown of Being. 

Finally, in reverence to the illustrious Promulgator of 
this " Light of Asia," and in homage to the many eminent 
scholars who have devoted noble labors to his memory, 
for which both repose and ability are wanting to me, I 
beg that the shortcomings of my too hurried study may 
be forgiven. It has been composed in the brief intervals 
of days without leisure, but is inspired by an abiding 
desire to aid in the better mutual knowledge of East and 
West. The time may come, I hope, when this book and 
my " Indian Song of Songs " will preserve the memory 
of one who loved India and the Indian peoples. 

EDWIN ARNOLD, C.S.I 
London, July, 1879. 



THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 



Book tlje iTirot. 



The Scripture of the Saviour of the World, 
Lord Buddha 1 — Prince Sidddrtha 1 styled on earth- 
In Earth and Heavens and Hells Incomparable, 
All-honored, Wisest, Best, most Pitiful ; 
The Teacher of Nirvana and the Law. 

Thus came he to be born again for men. 

Below the highest sphere four Regents sit 3 
Who rule our world, and under them are zones 
Nearer, but high, where saintliest spirits dead 
Wait thrice ten thousand years, 4 then live again ; 
And on Lord Buddha, waiting in that sky, 
Came for our sakes the five sure signs of birth 5 
So that the Devas 6 knew the signs, and said 
"Buddha will go again to help the World." 
" Yea ! " spake He, " now I go to help the World 

9 



IO THE LIGHT GF ASIA. 

This last of many times ; for birth and death 
End hence for me and those who learn my Law. 
I will go down among the Sakyas, 7 
Under the southward snows of Himalay, 
Where pious people live and a just King." 

That night the wife of King Suddhodana, 8 
Maya the Queen, 9 asleep beside her Lord, 
Dreamed a strange dream ; dreamed that a star from 

heaven — 
Splendid, six-rayed, in color rosy-pearl, 
Whereof the token was an Elephant 10 
Six-tusked and whiter than Vahuka's 11 milk — 
Shot through the void and, shining into her, 
Entered her womb upon the right. Awaked, 
Bliss beyond mortal mother's filled her breast, 
And over half the earth a lovely light 
Forewent the morn. The strong hills shook ; the waves 
Sank lulled ; all flowers that blow by day came forth 
As 'twere high noon ; down to the farthest hells 
Passed the Queen's joy, as when warm sunshine thrills 
Wood-glooms to gold, and into all the deeps 
A tender whisper pierced. 12 " Oh ye," it said, 
" The dead that are to live, the live who die, 
Uprise, and hear, and hope ! Buddha is come ! " 
Whereat in Limbos numberless much peace 
Spread, and the world's heart throbbed, and a wind ble\V 
With unknown freshness over lands and seas. 
And when the morning dawned, and this was told, 
The gray dream-readers 13 said " The dream is good ! 
The Crab is in conjunction with the Sun ; 14 






BOOK THE FIRST. 



II 



The Queen shall bear a boy, a holy child 
Of wondrous wisdom, profiting all flesh, 
Who shall deliver men from ignorance, 
Or rule the world, if he will deign to rule." 

In this wise was the holy Buddha born. 



Queen Maya stood at noon, her days fulfilled, 

Under a Palsa 15 in the Palace-grounds, 

A stately trunk, straight as a temple- shaft, 

With crown of glossy leaves and fragrant blooms : 

And, knowing the time come — for all things knew — 

The conscious tree bent down its boughs to make 

A bower about Queen Maya's majesty, 

And Earth put forth a thousand sudden flowers 

To spread a couch, while, ready for the bath, 

The rock hard by gave out a limpid stream 

Of crystal flow. So brought she forth her child 

Pangless — he having on his perfect form 

The marks, thirty and two, of blessed birth ; 

Of which the great news to the Palace came. 

But when they brought the painted palanquin 16 

To fetch him home, the bearers of the poles 

Were the four Regents of the Earth, come down 

From Mount Sumeru 17 — they who write men's deeds 

On brazen plates — the Angel of the East, 

Whose hosts are clad in silver robes, and bear 

Targets of pearl : the Angel of the South, 

Whose horsemen, the Kumbhandas, 18 ride blue steeds, 

With sapphire shields : the Angel of the West, 

By Nagas followed, riding steeds blood-red, 



12 



THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 



With coral shields : the Angel of the North, 
Environed by his Yakshas, 19 all in gold, 
On yellow horses, bearing shields of gold. 
These, with their pomp invisible, came down 
And took the poles, in caste and outward garb 
Like bearers, yet most mighty gods ; and gods 
Walked free with men that day, though men knew not 
For Heaven was filled with gladness for Earth's sake, 20 
Knowing Lord Buddha thus was come again. 

But King Suddhodana wist not of this ; 

The portents troubled, till his dream-readers 

Augured a Prince of earthly dominance, 

A Chakravartin, 21 such as rise to rule 

Once in each thousand years ; seven gifts he has — 

The Chakra-ratna, 22 disc divine ; the gem ; 

The horse, the Aswa-ratna, 23 that proud steed 

Which tramps the clouds ; a snow-white elephant, 

The Hasti- ratna, 24 born to bear his King ; 

The crafty Minister, the General 

Unconquered, and the wife of peerless grace, 

The Istri-ratna, 25 lovelier than the Dawn. 

For which gifts looking with this wondrous boy, 

The King gave order that his town should keep 

High festival ; therefore the ways were swept, 26 

Rose-odors sprinkled in the street, the trees 

Were hung with lamps and flags, 27 while merry crowds 

Gaped on the sword-players 28 and posturers, 

The jugglers, 29 charmers, swingers, rope-walkers, 

The nautch-girls in their spangled skirts and bells® 



BOOK THE FIRST. 



13 



That chime light laughter round their restless feet ; 

The masquers wrapped in skins of bear and deer. 

The tiger-tamers, wrestlers, quail-fighters, 

Beaters of drum and twanglers of the wire, 

Who made the people happy by command. 

Moreover from afar came merchant-men, 

Bringing, on tidings of this birth, rich gifts 

In golden trays ; 31 goat-shawls, 32 and nard 33 and jade, 

Turkises, 34 " evening sky " tint, woven webs — 

So fine twelve folds hide not a modest face — 

Waist-cloths sewn thick with pearls, and sandal-wood ; 

Homage from tribute cities ; so they called 

Their Prince Savarthasiddh, " All-Prospering," 

Briefer, Siddartha. 

'Mongst the strangers came 
A gray-haired saint, Asita, 35 one whose ears, 
Long closed to earthly things, caught heavenly sounds, 
And heard at prayer beneath his peepul-tree 
The Devas singing songs at Buddha's birth. 
Wondrous in lore he was by age and fasts ; 
Him, drawing nigh, seeming so reverend, 
The King saluted, and Queen Maya made 
To lay her babe before such holy feet ; 
But when he saw the Prince the old man cried 
" Ah, Queen, not so ! " and thereupon he touched 
Eight times the dust, 36 laid his waste visage there, 
Saying, " O Babe ! I worship ! Thou art He ! 
I see the rosy light, 37 the foot-sole marks, 38 
The soft-curled tendril of the Swastika, 39 
The sacred primal signs thirty and two, 
The eighty lesser tokens. 40 Thou art Buddh, 



H 



THE LIGHT OF ASIA- 



And thou wilt preach the Law and save all flesh 
Who learn the Law, though I shall never hear, 
Dying too soon, who lately longed to die ; 
Howbeit I have seen Thee. Know, O King ! 
This is that Blossom on our human tree 
Which opens once in many myriad years 41 — 
But opened, fills the world with Wisdom's scent 
And Love's dropped honey ; from thy royal root 
A Heavenly Lotus springs : Ah, happy House ! 
Yet not all-happy, for a sword must pierce 
Thy bowels for this boy 42 — whilst thou, sweet Queen ! 
Dear to all gods and men for this great birth, 
Henceforth art grown too sacred for more woe, 
And life is woe, therefore in seven days 
Painless thou shalt attain the close of pain." 43 



Which fell : for on the seventh evening 
Queen Maya smiling slept, and waked no more, 
Passing content to Trayastrinshas-Heaven, 44 
Where countless Devas worship her and wait 
Attendant on that radiant Motherhead. 
But for the Babe they found a foster-nurse, 
Princess Mahaprajapati 45 — her breast 
Nourished with noble milk the lips of Him 
Whose lips comfort the Worlds. 

When th' eighth year passed 46 
The careful King bethought to teach his son 
All that a Prince should learn, for still he shunned 
The too vast presage of those miracles, 
The glories and the sufferings of a Buddh* 
So, in full council of his Ministers, 




BOOK THE FIRST- IK 

" To teach my Prince that which a Prince should know ? " 

Whereto gave answer each with instant voice 

" King ! Viswamitra 47 is the wisest one, 

The farthest-seen in Scriptures, and the best 

In learning, and the manual arts, and all." 

Thus Viswamitra came and heard commands ; 

And, on a day found fortunate, the Prince 

Took up his slate of ox-red sandal-wood, 

All-beautified by gems around the rim, 

And sprinkled smooth with dust of emery, 

These took he, and his writing-stick, and stood 

With eyes bent down before the Sage, who said, 

"Child, write this Scripture," speaking slow the verse 

" Gdyatri" w named, which only High-born hear: — 

Om, tatsaviturvarenyam 

Bhargo devasya dhimahi 

Dhiyo yo na prachodaydt. 
11 Acharya, 49 I write," meekly replied 
The Prince, and quickly on the dust he drew — 
Not in one script, but many characters — 
The sacred verse ; Nagri 50 and Dakshin, 51 Ni, 62 
Mangal, 53 Parusha, 54 Yava, 55 Tirthi, 56 Uk, 57 
Darad, 58 Sikhyani, 59 Mana, 60 Madhyachar, 61 
The pictured writings and the speech of signs, 
Tokens of cave-men and the sea-peoples, 
Of those who worship snakes beneath the earth, 
And those who flame adore and the sun's orb, 62 
The Magians and the dwellers on the mounds ; 
Of all the nations all strange scripts he traced 
One after other with his writing-stick, 



l6 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Reading the master's verse in every tongue ; 
And Viswamitra said, " It is enough, 
Let us to numbers. 

After me repeat 
Your numeration till we reach the Lakh. 63 
One, two, three, four, to ten, and then by tens 
To hundreds, thousands." After him the child 
Named digits, decads, centuries ; nor paused, 
The round lakh reached, but softly murmured on 
" Then comes the koci, nahut, ninnahut, 
Khamba, viskhamba, abab, attata, 
To kumuds, gundhikas, and utpalas, 
By pundarikas unto padumas, 
Which last is how you count the utmost grains 
Of Hastagiri ground to finest dust ; 
But beyond that a numeration is, 
The Katha, used to count the stars of night ; 
The Koti-Katha, for the ocean drops ; 
Ingga, the caculus of circulars ; 
Sarvanikchepa, by the which you deal 
With all the sands of Gunga, till we come 
To Antah-Kalpas, 64 where the unit is 
The sands of ten crore w Gungas. If one seeks 
More comprehensive scale, th' arithmic mounts 
>y the Asankya, which is the tale 
)f all the drops that in ten thousand years 
Would fall on all the worlds by daily rain ; 
Thence unto Maha Kalpas, by the which 
The Gods compute their future and their past," 

" 'Tis good," the Sage rejoined, " Most noble Prince, 
Cf these thou know'st, needs it that I should teach 



BOOK THE FIRST. 1 7 

The mensuration of the lineal ? " 
Humbly the boy replied, " Acharya ! " 
" Be pleased to hear me. Paramanus 66 ten 
A parasukshma 67 make ; ten of those build 
The trasarene, 68 and seven trasarenes 
One mote's-length floating in the beam, seven motes 
The whisker-point of mouse, and ten of these 
One likhya ; 69 likhyas ten a yuka, ten 
Yukas 70 a heart of barley, which is held 
Seven times a wasp-waist ; so unto the grain 
Of mung 71 and mustard and the barley-corn, 
Whereof ten give the finger-joint, twelve joints 
The span, wherefrom we reach the cubit, staff, 
Bow-length, lance-length ; while twenty lengths of lance 
Mete. what is named a 'breath,' 72 which is to say 
Such space as man may stride with lungs once filled, 
Whereof a gow 73 is forty, four times that 
A yojana ; 74 and, Master ! if it please, 
I shall recite how many sun-motes lie 
From end to end within a yojana." 
Thereat, with instant skill, the little Prince 
Pronounced the total of the atoms true. 
But Viswamitra heard it on his face 
.Prostrate before the boy ; " For thou," he cried, 
" Art Teacher of thy teachers — thou, not I, 
Art Guru. 75 Oh, I worship thee, sweet Prince ! 
That comest to my school only to show 
Thou knowest all without the books, and know'st 
Fair reverence besides." 

Which reverence 
Lord Buddha kept to all his schoolmasters, 



l8 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Albeit beyond their learning taught ; in speech 

Right' gentle, yet so wise ; princely of mien, 

Yet softly-mannered ; modest, deferent, 

And tender-hearted, though of fearless blood ; 

No bolder horseman in the youthful band 

E'er rode in gay chase of the shy gazelles ; 

No keener driver of the chariot 

In mimic contest scoured the Palace-courts ; 

Yet in mid-play the boy would ofttimes pause, 

Letting the deer pass free ; would ofttimes yield 

His half-won race because the laboring steeds 

Fetched painful breath ; or if his princely mates 

Saddened to lose, or if some wistful dream 

Swept o'er his thoughts. And ever with the years 

Waxed this compassionateness of our Lord, 

Even as a great tree grows from two soft leaves 

To spread its shade afar ; but hardly yet 

Knew the young child of sorrow, pain, or tears, 

Save as strange names for things not felt by kings, 

Nor ever to be felt. But it befell 

In the Royal garden on a day of spring, 

A flock of wild swans passed, voyaging north 

To their nest-places on Himala's breast. 

Calling in love-notes down their snowy line 

The bright birds flew, by fond love piloted ; 

And Devadatta, 76 cousin of the Prince, 

Pointed his bow, and loosed a willful shaft 

Which found the wide wing of the foremost swan 

Broad-spread to glide upon the free blue road, 

So that it fell, the bitter arrow fixed, 

Bright scarlet blood-gouts staining the pure plumes. 




BOOK THE FIRST. 19 

Which seeing, Prince Siddartha took the bird 
Tenderly up, rested it in his lap — 
Sitting with knees crossed, as Lord Buddha sits — 
And, soothing with a touch the wild thing's fright, 
Composed its ruffled vans, calmed its quick heart, 
Caressed it into peace with light kind palms 
As soft as plantain-leaves an hour unrolled ; 
And while the left hand held, the right hand drew 
The cruel steel forth from the wound and laid 
Cool leaves and healing honey on the smart. 
Yet all so little knew the boy of pain 
That curiously into his wrist he pressed 
The arrow's barb, and winced to feel it sting, 
And turned with tears to soothe his bird again. 

Then some one came who said, " My Prince hath shot 
A swan, which fell among the roses here, 
He bids me pray you send it. Will you send ? ' 
i( Nay," quoth Siddartha, " if the bird were dead 
To send it to the slayer might be well, 
But the swan lives ; my cousin hath but killed 
The god-like speed which throbbed in this white wing." 
And Devadatta answered, "The wild thing, 
Living or dead, is his who fetched it down ; 
'Twas no man's in the clouds, but fall'n 'tis mine, 
Give me my prize, fair Cousin." Then our Lord 
Laid the swan's neck beside his own smooth cheek 
And gravely spake, " Say no ! the bird is mine, 
The first of myriad things which shall be mine 
By right of mercy and love's lordliness. 
For now I know, by what within me stirs, 
That I shall teach compassion unto men 



20 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

And be a speechless world's interpreter, 

Abating this accursed flood of woe, 

Not man's alone ; but, if the Prince disputes, 

Let him submit this matter to the wise 

And we will wait their word." So was it done ; 

In full divan 77 the business had debate, 

And many thought this thing and many that, 

Till there arose an unknown priest who said, 

"If life be aught, the savior of a life 

Owns more the living thing than he can own 

Who sought to slay — the slayer spoils and wastes, 

The cherisher sustains, give him the bird : " 

Which judgment all found just ; but when the King 

Sought out the sage for honor, he was gone ; 

And some one saw a hooded snake 78 glide forth, — 

The gods come ofttimes thus ! So our Lord Buddh 

Began his works of mercy. 

Yet not more 
Knew he as yet of grief than that one bird's, 
Which, being healed, went joyous to its kind. 
But on another day the King said, " Come, 
Sweet son ! and see the pleasaunce of the spring, 
And how the fruitful earth is wooed to yield 
Its riches to the reaper ; how my realm — 
Which shall be thine when the pile flames for me 79 — 
Feeds all its mouths and keeps the King's chest filled. 
Fair is the season with new leaves, bright blooms, 
Green grass, and cries of plough-time." So they rode 
Into a land of wells and gardens, where, 
All up and down the rich red loam, the steers 
Strained their strong shouiders in the ci making yoke 



BOOK THE FIRST. 2E 

Dragging the ploughs ; the fat soil rose and rolled 

In smooth dark waves back from the plough ; who drove 

Planted both feet upon the leaping share 

To make the furrow deep ; among the palms 

The tinkle of the rippling water rang, , 

And where it ran the glad earth 'broidered it 

With balsams and the spears of lemon-grass. 

Elsewhere were sowers who went forth to sow ; 

And all the jungle laughed with nesting-songs, 

And all the thickets rustled with small life 

Of lizard, bee, beetle, and creeping things 

Pleased at the spring-time. In the mango-sprays 80 

The sun-birds 81 flashed ; alone at his green forge 

Toiled the loud coppersmith ; bee-eaters hawked 

Chasing the purple butterflies ; beneath, 

Striped squirrels raced, the mynas 82 perked and picked 

The nine brown sisters chattered in the thorn, 

The pied fish-tiger hung above the pool, 

The egrets 83 stalked among the buffaloes, 

The kites sailed circles in the golden air ; 

About the painted temple peacocks flew, 84 

The blue doves cooed from every well, far off 85 

The village drums 86 beat for some marriage-feast ; 

All things spoke peace and plenty, and the Prince 

Saw and rejoiced. But, looking deep, he saw 

The thorns which grow upon this rose of life : 

How the swart peasant sweated for his wage, 

Toiling for leave to live ; and how he urged 

The great-eyed oxen through the flaming hours, 

Goading their velvet flanks : then marked he, too ? 

How lizard fed on ant, and snake on him, 



22 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

And kite on both ; and how the fish-hawk robbed 

The fish-tiger of that which it had seized ; 

The shrike chasing the bulbul, 87 which did chase 

The jeweled butterflies ; till everywhere 

Each slew a slayer and in turn was slain, 

Life living upon death. So the fair show 

Veiled one vast, savage, grim conspiracy 

Of mutual murder, from the worm to man, 

Who himself kills his fellow ; seeing which — 

The hungry ploughman and his laboring kine, 

Their dewlaps blistered with the bitter yoke, 

The rage to live which makes all living strife — 

The Prince Siddartha sighed. " Is this," he said, 

" That happy earth they brought me forth to see ? 

How salt with sweat the peasant's bread ! how hard 

The oxen's service ! in the brake how fierce 

The war of weak and strong ! i' th' air what plots I 

No refuge e'en in water. Go aside 

A space, and let me muse on what ye show." 

So saying, the good Lord Buddha seated him 

Under a jambu-tree, 88 with ankles crossed — 

As holy statues sit — and first began 

To meditate this deep disease of life, 

What its far source and whence its remedj^. 

So vast a pity filled him, such wide love 

For living things, such passion to heal pain, 

That by their stress his princely spirit passed 

To ecstasy, and, purged from mortal taint 

Of sense and self, the boy attained thereat 

Dhyana, 89 first step of "the path." 

There flew 



BOOK THE FIRST. 

High overhead that hour five holy ones, 
Whose free wings faltered as they passed the tree. 
"What power superior draws us from our flight ? " 
They asked, for spirits feel all force divine, 
And know the sacred presence of the pure. 
Then, looking downward, they beheld the Buddh 
Crowned with a rose-hued aureole, intent 
On thoughts to save ; while from the grove a voice 
Cried, " Rishis ! 90 this is He shall help the world, 
Descend and worship." So the Bright Ones came 
And sang a song of praise, folding their wings, 
Then journeyed on, taking good news to Gods. 

But certain from the King seeking the Prince 
Found him still musing, though the noon was past, 
And the sun hastened to the western hills : 
Yet, while all shadows moved, the jambu-tree's 
Stayed in one quarter, overspreading him, 
Lest the sloped rays should strike that sacred head ; 
And he who saw this sight heard a voice say, 
Amid the blossoms of the rose-apple, 
" Let be the King's son ! till the shadow goes 
Forth from his heart my shadow will not shift." 



23 



Book X\\t Qctonb. 



Now, when our Lord was come to eighteen years, 
The King commanded that there should be built 
Three stately houses, one of hewn square beams 
With cedar lining, warm for winter days ; 
One of veined marbles, cool for summer heat ; 
And one of burned bricks, with blue tiles bedecked, 
Pleasant at seed-time, when the champaks 1 bud — 
Subha, 2 Suramma, 3 Ramma, 4 were their names. 
Delicious gardens round about them bloomed, 
Streams wandered wild and musky thickets stretched, 
With many a bright pavilion and fair lawn 
In midst of which Siddartha strayed at will, 
Some new delight provided every hour ; 
And happy hours he knew, for life was rich, 
With youthful blood at quickest ; yet still came 
The shadows of his meditation back, 
As the lake's silver dulls with driving clouds. 

Which the King marking, called his Ministers : 
" Bethink ye, sirs ! how the old Rishi spake," 
He said, " and what my dream-readers foretold. 
This boy, more dear to me than mine heart's blood, 

24 




BOOK THE SECOND. 2$ 

Shall be of universal dominance, 

Trampling the neck of all his enemies, 

A King of kings — and this is in my heart ; — 

Or he shall tread the sad and lowly path 

Of self-denial and of pious pains, 

Gaining who knows what good, when all is lost 

Worth keeping ; and to this his wistful eyes 

Do still incline amid my palaces. 

But ye are sage, and ye will counsel me ; 

How may his feet be turned to that proud road 

Where they should walk, and all fair signs come true 

Which gave him Earth to rule, if he would rule ? " 

The eldest answered, " Maharaja ! 5 love 
Will cure these thin distempers ; weave the spell 
Of woman's wiles about his idle heart. 
What knows this noble boy of beauty yet, 
Eyes that make heaven forgot, and lips of balm? 
Find him soft wives and pretty playfellows ; 
The thoughts ye cannot stay with brazen chains 
A girl's hair lightly binds." 

And all thought good, 
But the King answered, " If we seek him wives, 
Love chooseth ofttimes with another eye ; 
And if we bid range Beauty's garden round, 
To pluck what blossom pleases, he will smile 
And sweetly shun the joy he knows not of." 
Then said another, "Roams the barasingh 6 
Until the fated arrow flies ; for him, 
As for less lordly spirits, some one charms, 
Some face will seem a Paradise, some form 
Fairer than pale Dawn when she wakes the world. 



26 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

This do, my King ! Command a festival 
Where the realm's maids shall be competitors 
In youth and grace, 7 and sports that Sakyas use. 
Let the Prince give the prizes to the fair, 
And, when the lovely victors pass his seat, 
There shall be those who mark if one or two 
Change the fixed sadness of his tender cheek ; 
So we may choose for Love with Love's own eyes, 
And cheat his Highness into happiness." 
This thing seemed good ; wherefore upon a day 
The criers bade the young and beautiful 
Pass to the palace, for 'twas in command 
To hold a court of pleasure, and the Prince 
Would give the prizes, something rich for all, 
The richest for the fairest judged. So flocked 
Kapilavastu's 8 maidens to the gate, 
Each with her dark hair newly smoothed and bound, 
Eyelashes lustred with the soorma-stick, 9 
Fresh-bathed and scented ; all in shawls and cloths 
Of gayest ; slender hands and feet new-stained 
With crimson, 10 and the tilka-spots 11 stamped bright. 
Fair show it was of all those Indian girls 
Slow-pacing past the throne with large black eyes 
Fixed on the ground, for when they saw the Prince 
More than the awe of Majesty made beat 
Their fluttering hearts, he sate so passionless, 
Gentle, but so beyond them. Each maid took 
With down-dropped lids her gift, afraid to gaze ; 
And if the people hailed some lovelier one 
Beyond her rivals worthy royal smiles, 
She stood like a scared antelope to touch 



BOOK THE SECOND. 

The gracious hand, then fled to join her mates 
Trembling at favor, so divine he seemed, 
So high and saint-like and above her world. 
Thus filed they, one bright maid after another, 
The city's flowers, and all this beauteous march 
Was ending and the prizes spent, when last 
Came young Yasodhara, 12 and they that stood 
Nearest Siddartha saw the princely boy 
Start, as the radiant girl approached. A form 
Of heavenly mold ; a gait like Parvati's ; 13 
Eyes like a hind's in love-time, face so fair 
Words cannot paint its spell ; and she alone 
Gazed full — folding her palms across her breasts—* 
On the boy's gaze, her stately neck unbent. 
" Is there a gift for me ? " she asked, and smiled. 
" The gifts are gone," the Prince replied, " yet take 
This for amends, dear sister, of whose grace 
Our happy city boasts ; " therewith he loosed 
The emerald necklet from his throat, and clasped 
Its green beads round her dark and silk-soft waist ; 
And their eyes mixed, and from the look sprang love. 

Long after — when enlightenment was full — 
Lord Buddha — being prayed why thus his heart 
Took fire at first glance of the Sakya girl, 
Answered, "We were not' strangers, as to us 
And all it seemed ; in ages long gone by 
A hunter's son, playing with forest girls 
By Yamun's 14 springs, where Nandadevi 15 stands, 
Sate umpire while they raced beneath the firs 
Like hares at eve that run their playful rings ; 



27 



28 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

One with flower-stars crowned he, one with long plumes 

Plucked from eyed pheasant and the jungle-cock, 

One with fir-apples ; but who ran the last 

Came first for him, and unto her the boy 

Gave a tame fawn and his heart's love beside. 

And in the wood they lived many glad years, 

And in the wood they undivided died. 

Lo ! as hid seed shoots after rainless years, 

So good and evil, pains and pleasures, hates 

And loves, and all dead deeds, come forth again 

Bearing bright leaves or dark, sweet fruit or sour. 

Thus I was he and she Yasodhara ; 

And while the wheel of birth and death turns round, 

That which hath been must be between us two." 

But they who watched the Prince at prize-giving 
Saw and heard all, and told the careful King 
How sate Siddartha heedless, till there passed 
Great Suprabuddha's child, Yasodhara ; 
And how — at sudden sight of her — he changed, 
And how she gazed on him and he on her, 
And of the jewel-gift, and what beside 
Passed in their speaking glance. 

The fond King smiled : 
" Look ! we have found a lure ; take counsel now 
To fetch therewith our falcon from the clouds. 
Let messengers be sent to ask the maid 
In marriage for my son." But it was law 
With Sakyas, when any asked a maid 
Of noble house, fair and desirable, 
He must make good his skill in martial arts 



BOOK THE SECOND. 29 

Against all suitors who should challenge it ; 

Nor might this custom break itself for kings. 

Therefore her father spake : " Say to the King, 

The child is sought by princes far and near ; 

If thy most gentle son can bend the bow, 

Sway sword, and back a horse better than they, 

Best would he be in all and best to us : 

But how shall this be, with his cloistered ways ? " 

Then the King's heart was sore, for now the Prince 

Begged sweet Yasodhara for wife — in vain, 

With Devadatta foremost at the bow, 

Ardjuna 16 master of all fiery steeds, 

And Nanda 17 chief in sword-play ; but the Prince 

Laughed low and said, " These things, too, I have learned ; 

Make proclamation that thy son will meet 

All comers at their chosen games. I think 

I shall not lose my love for such as these.'* 

So 'twas given forth that on the seventh day 

The Prince Siddartha summoned whoso would 

To match with him in feats of manliness, 

The victor's crown to be Yasodhara. 

Therefore, upon the seventh day, there went 
The Sakya lords and town and country round 
Unto the maidan ; 18 and the maid went too 
Amid her kinsfolk, carried as a bride, 
With music, 19 and with litters gayly dight, 
And gold-horned oxen, flower-caparisoned. 20 
Whom Devadatta claimed, of royal line, 
And Nanda and Ardjuna, noble both, 
The flower of all youths there, till the Prince came 



3° THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Riding his white horse Kantaka, which neighed, 

Astonished at this great strange world without : 

Also Siddartha gazed with wondering eyes 

On all those people born beneath the throne, 

Otherwise housed than kings, otherwise fed, 

And yet so like — perchance — in joys and griefs. 

But when the Prince saw sweet Yasodhara, 

Brightly he smiled, and drew his silken rein, 

Leaped to the earth from Kantaka's broad back, 

And cried, " He is not worthy of this pearl 

Who is not worthiest ; let my rivals prove 

If I have dared too much in seeking her." 

Then Nanda challenged for the arrow-test 

And set a brazen drum six gows away, 

Ardjuna six and Devadatta eight ; 

But Prince Siddartha bade them set his drum 

Ten gows 21 from off the line, until it seemed 

A cowry-shell 22 for target. Then they loosed, 

And Nanda pierced his drum, Ardjuna his, 

And Devadatta drove a well-aimed shaft 

Through both sides of his mark, so that the crowd 

Marveled and cried ; and sweet Yasodhara 

Dropped the gold sari 23 o'er her fearful eyes, 

Lest she should see her Prince's arrow fail. 

But he, taking their bow of lacquered cane, 

With sinews round, and strong with silver wire, 

Which none but stalwart arms could draw a span, 

Thrummed it — low laughing — drew the twisted string 

Till the horns kissed, and the thick belly snapped : 

" That is for play, not love," he said ; "hath none 

A bow more fit for Sakya lords to use ? " 



BOOK THE SECOND. 3 1 

And one said, " There is Sinhahanu's bow, 24 

Kept in the temple since we know not when, 

Which none can string, nor draw if it be strung." 

" Fetch me," he cried, " that weapon of a man ! " 

They brought the ancient bow, wrought of black steel. 

Laid with gold tendrils on its branching curves 

Like bison-horns ; and twice Siddartha tried 

Its strength across his knee, then spake — " Shoot now 

With this, my cousins ! " but they could not bring 

The stubborn arms a hand's-breadth nigher use ; 

Then the Prince, lightly leaning, bent the bow, 25 

Slipped home the eye upon the notch, and twanged 

Sharply the cord, which, like an eagle's wing 

Thrilling the air, sang forth so clear and loud 

That feeble folk at home that day inquired 

" What is this sound ? " and people answered them, 

" It is the sound of Sinhahanu's bow, 

Which the King's son has strung and goes to shoot ; " 

Then fitting fair a shaft, he drew and loosed, 

And the keen arrow clove the sky, and drave 

Right through that farthest drum, nor stayed its flight, 

But skimmed the plain beyond, past reach ot eye. 

Then Devadatta challenged with the sword, 
And clove a Talas-tree 26 six fingers thick i 27 ** 
Ardj una seven ; and Nanda cut through nine -, 
But two such stems together grew, and both 
Siddartha's blade shred at one flashing stroke, 
Keen, but so smooth that the straight trunks upstood, 
And Nanda cried, " His edge turned ! " and the maid 
Trembled anew seeing the trees erect, 



$2 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Until the Devas of the air, who watched, 

Blew light breaths from the south, and both green crowns 

Crashed in the sand, clean-felled. 

Then broirght they steeds. 
High-mettled, nobly-bred, and three times scoured 
Around the maidan, but white Kantaka 
Left even the fleetest far behind — so swift, 
That ere the foam fell from his mouth to earth 
Twenty spear-lengths he flew ; but Nanda said, 
"We too might win with such as Kantaka ; 
Bring an unbroken horse, and let men see 
Who best can back him." So the syces 28 brought 
A stallion dark as night, led by three chains, 
Fierce -eyed, with nostrils wide and tossing mane, 
Unshod, unsaddled, for no rider yet 
Had crossed him. Three times each young Sakya 
Sprang to his mighty back, but the hot steed 
Furiously reared, and flung them to the plain 
In dust and shame ; only Ardjuna held 
His seat awhile, and, bidding loose the chains, 
Lashed the black flank, and shook the bit, and held 
The proud jaws fast with grasp of master-hand, 
So that in storms of wrath and rage and fear 
The savage stallion circled once the plain 
Half-tamed ; but sudden turned with naked teeth, 
Gripped by the foot Ardjuna, tore him down, 
And would have slain him, but the grooms ran in 
Fettering the maddened beast. Then all men cried, 
" Let not Siddartha meddle with this Bhut, 29 
Whose liver is a tempest, and his blood 
Red flame ; " but the Prince said, ' Let go the chains, 




BOOK THE SECOND. 33 

Give me his forelock only," which he held 
With quiet grasp, and, speaking some low word, 
Laid his right palm across the stallion's eyes, 
And drew it gently down the angry face, 
And all along the neck and panting flanks, 
Till men astonished saw the night-black horse 
Sink his fierce crest and stand subdued and meek, 
As though he knew our Lord and worshiped him. 
Nor stirred he while Siddartha mounted, then 
Went soberly to touch of knee and rein 
Before all eyes, so that the people said, 
" Strive no more, for Siddartha is the best." 

And all the suitors answered " He is best ! " 
And Suprabuddha, father of the maid, 
Said, " It was in our hearts to find thee best, 
Being dearest, yet what magic taught thee more 
Of manhood 'mid thy rose-bowers and thy dreams 
Than war and chase and world's work bring to these r 
But wear, fair Prince, the treasure thou hast won." 
Then at a word the lovely Indian girl 
Rose from her place above the throng, and took 
A crown of mogra-flowers 30 and lightly drew 
The veil of black and gold across her brow, 
Proud pacing past the youths, until she came 
To where Siddartha stood in grace divine, 
New lighted from the night-dark steed, which bent 
Its strong neck meekly underneath his arm. 
Before the Prince lowly she bowed, and bared 
Her face celestial beaming with glad love ; 
Then on his neck she hung the fragrant wreath, 
9 



34 T HE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

And on his breast she laid her perfect head, 
And stooped to touch his feet with proud glad eyes, 
Saying, " Dear Prince, behold me, who am thine ! " 
And all the throng rejoiced, seeing them pass 
Hand fast in hand, and heart beating with heart, 
The veil of black and gold drawn close again. 

Long after — when enlightenment was come — 
They prayed Lord Buddha touching all, and why 
She wore this black and gold, and stepped so proud. 
And the World-honored answered, " Unto me 
This was unknown, albeit it seemed half known ; 
For while the wheel of birth and death turns round, 
Past things and thoughts, and buried lives come back 
I now remember, myriad rains ago, 
What time I roamed Himala's hanging woods, 
A tiger, with my striped and hungry kind ; 
I, who am Buddh, couched in the kusa grass 31 
Gazing with green blinked eyes upon the herds 
Which pastured near and nearer to their death 
Round my day-lair ; or underneath the stars 
I roamed for prey, savage, insatiable, 
Sniffing the paths for track of man and deer. 
Amid the beasts that were my fellows then, 
Met in deep jungle or by reedy jheel, 32 
A tigress, comeliest of the forest, set 
The males at war ; her hide was lit with gold, 
Black- broidered like the veil Yasodhara 
Wore for me ; hot the strife waxed in that wood 
With tooth and claw, while underneath a neem 33 
The fair beast watched us bleed, thus fiercely wooed. 



BOOK THE SECOND. 

And I remember, at the end she came 

Snarling past this and that torn forest-lord 

Which I had conquered, and with fawning jaws 

Licked my quick-heaving flank, and with me went 

Into the wild with proud steps, amorously. 

The wheel of birth and death turns low and high." 

Therefore the maid was given unto the Prince 
A willing spoil ; and when the stars were good — 
Mesha, 34 the Red Ram, being Lord of heaven — 
The marriage feast was kept, as Sakyas use, 
The golden gadi 35 set, the carpet spread, 
The wedding garlands hung, the arm-threads tied, 3 * 
The sweet cake broke, the rice and attar thrown, 37 
The two straws floated on the reddened milk, 
Which, coming close, betokened " love till death ; * 9 
The seven steps taken thrice around the fire, 
The gifts bestowed on holy men, the alms 
And temple offerings made, the mantras 38 sung, 
The garments of the bride and bridegroom tied. 
Then the gray father spake : " Worshipful Prince, 
She that was ours henceforth is only thine ; 
Be good to her, who hath her life in thee." 
Wherewith they brought home sweet Yasodhara, 
With songs and trumpets, to the Prince's arms, 
And love was all in all. 

Yet not to love 
Alone trusted the King ; love's prison-house 
Stately and beautiful he bade them build, 
So that in all the earth no marvel was 
Like Vishramvan, the Prince's pleasure-place, 



$6 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Midway in those wide palace-grounds there rose 
A verdant hill whose base Rohini 39 bathed, 
Murmuring adown from Kimalay's broad feet, 
To bear its tribute into Gunga's 40 waves. 
Southward a growth of tamarind trees and sal, 41 
Thick set with pale sky-colored ganthi flowers, 42 
Shut out the world, save if the city's hum 
Came on the wind no harsher than when bees 
Hum out of sight in thickets. Northwards soared 
The stainless ramps of huge Himala's wall, 43 
Ranged in white ranks against the blue — untrod, 
Infinite, wonderful — whose uplands vast, 
And lifted universe of crest and crag, 
Shoulder and shelf, green slope and icy horn, 
Riven ravine, and splintered precipice 
Led climbing thought higher and higher, until 
It seemed to stand in heaven and speak with gods. 
Beneath the snows dark forests spread, sharp laced 
With leaping cataracts and veiled with clouds : 
Lower grew rose-oaks and the great fir groves 
Where echoed pheasant's call and panther's cry, 
Clatter of wild sheep on the stones, and scream 
Of circling eagles : under these the plain 
Gleamed like a praying-carpet at the foot 
Of those divinest altars. Fronting this 
The builders set the bright pavilion up, 
Fair-planted on the terraced hill, with towers 
On either flank and pillared cloisters round. 
Its beams were carved with stories of old time — • 
Radha and Krishna and the sylvan girls — ** 
Sita 45 and Hanuman and Draupadi ; 4ti 



BOOK THE SECOND. 37 

And on the middle porch God Ganesha, 

With disc and hook — to bring wisdom and wealth — 

Propitious sate, wreathing his sidelong trunk. 47 

By winding ways of garden and of court 

The inner gate was reached, of marble wrought, 

White with pink veins ; the lintel lazuli, 

The threshold alabaster, and the doors 

Sandal-wood, cut in pictured paneling ; 

Whereby to lofty halls and shadowy bowers 

Passed the delighted foot, on stately stairs, 

Through latticed galleries, 'neath painted roofs 

And clustering columns, where cool fountains — fringed 

With lotus and nelumbo 48 — danced, and fish 

Gleamed through their crystal, scarlet, gold, and blue. 

Great-eyed gazelles in sunny alcoves browsed 

The blown red roses ; birds of rainbow wing 

Fluttered among the palms ; doves, green and gray, 

Built their safe nests on gilded cornices ; 

Over the shining pavements peacocks drew 

The splendors of their trains, sedately watched 

By milk-white herons and the small house-owls. 

The plum-necked parrots swung from fruit to fruit ; 

The yellow sun-birds whirred from bloom to bloom, 

The timid lizards on the lattice basked 

Fearless, the squirrels ran to feed from hand, 

For all was peace : the shy black snake, that gives 

Fortune to households, sunned his sleepy coils 

Under the moon-flowers, where the musk-deer played, 

And brown-eyed monkeys chattered to the crows. 

And all this house of love was peopled fair 

With sweet attendance, so that in each part 



38 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Wittrlovely sights were gentle faces found, 
Soft speech and willing service, each one glad 
To gladden, pleased at pleasure, proud to obey ; 
Till life glided beguiled, like a smooth stream 
Banked by perpetual flow'rs, Yasodhara 
Queen of the enchanting Court. 

But innermost, 
Beyond the richness of those hundred halls, 
A secret chamber lurked, where skill had spent 
All lovely fantasies to lull the mind. 
The entrance of it was a cloistered square — 
Roofed by the sky, and in the midst a tank — 
Of milky marble built, and laid with slabs 
Of milk-white marble ; bordered round the tank 
And on the steps, and all along the frieze 
With tender inlaid work of agate-stones. 
Cool as to tread in summer-time on snows 
It was to loiter there ; the sunbeams dropped 
• Their gold, and, passing into porch and niche, 
Softened to shadows, silvery, pale, and dim, 
As if the very Day paused and grew Eve 
In love and silence at that bower's gate ; 
For there beyond the gate the chamber was, 
Beautiful, sweet ; a wonder of the world ! 
Soft light from perfumed lamps through windows fell 
Of nakre 49 and stained stars of lucent film 
On golden cloths outspread, and silken beds, 
And heavy splendor of the purdah's 50 fringe, 
Lifted to take only the loveliest in. 
Here, whether it was night or day none knew, 
For always streamed that softened light, more bright 



BOOK THE SECOND. 



39 



Than sunrise, but as tender as the eve's ; 

And always breathed sweet airs, more joy-giving 

Than morning's, but as cool as midnight's breath ; 

And night and day lutes sighed, and night and day 

Delicious foods were spread, and dewy fruits, 

Sherbets new chilled with snows of Himalay, 

And sweetmeats made of subtle daintiness, 

With sweet tree-milk in its own ivory cup. 

And night and day served there a chosen band 

Of nautch girls, cup-bearers, and cymbalers, 

Delicate, dark-browed ministers of love, 

Who fanned the sleeping eyes of the happy Prince, 

And when he waked, led back his thoughts to bliss 

With music whispering through the blooms, and charm 

Of amorous songs and dreamy dances, linked 

By chime of ankle-bells and wave of arms 

And silver vina-strings ; 51 while essences 

Of musk and champak and the blue haze spread 

From burning spices soothed his' soul again 

To drowse by sweet Yasodhara ; and thus 

Siddartha lived forgetting. 

Furthermore, 
The King commanded that within those walls 
No mention should be made of death or age, 
Sorrow, or pain, or sickness. If one drooped 
In the lovely Court — her dark glance dim, her feet 
Faint in the dance — the guiltless criminal 
Passed forth an exile from that Paradise, 
Lest he should see and surfer at her woe. 
Bright-eyed intendants watched to execute 
Sentence on such as spake of the harsh world 



4-0 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Without, wnere aches and plagues were, tears and fears, 

And wail of mourners, and grim fume of pyres. 

'Twas treason if a thread of silver strayed 

In tress of singing-girl or nautch-dancer ; 

And every dawn the dying rose was plucked, 

The dead leaves hid, all evil sights removed : 

For said the King, " If he shall pass his' youth 

Far from such things as move to wistfulness, 

And brooding on the empty eggs of thought, 

The shadow of this fate, too vast for man, 

May fade, belike, and I shall see him grow 

To that great stature of fair sovereignty 52 

When he shall rule all lands — if he will rule — 

The King of kings and glory of his time." 

Wherefore, around that pleasant prison-house — 
Where love was jailer and delights its bars, 
But far removed from sight — the King bade build 
A massive wall, and in the wall a gate 
With brazen folding-doors, which but to roll 
Back on their hinges asked a hundred arms ; 
Also the noise of that prodigious gate 
Opening, was heard full half a yojana. 
And inside this another gate he made, 
And yet within another — through the three 
Must one pass if he quit that Pleasure-house. 
Three mighty gates there were, bolted and barred, 
And over each was set a faithful watch ; 
And the King's order said, " Suffer no man 
To pass the gates, though he should be the Prince : 
This on your lives — even though it be my son." 



ftookfyc (Ehiro. 



In which calm home of happy life and love 
Ligged our Lord Buddha, knowing not of woe, 
Nor want, nor pain, nor plague, nor age, nor death, 
Save as when sleepers roam dim seas in dreams, 
And land awearied on the shores of day, 
Bringing strange merchandise from that black voyage. 
Thus ofttimes when he lay with gentle head 
Lulled on the dark breasts of Yasodhara, 
Her fond hands fanning slow his sleeping lids, 
He would start up and cry, " My world ! Oh, world ! 
I hear ! I know ! I come ! " And she would ask, 
" What ails my Lord ? " with large eyes terror-struck ; 
For at such times the pity in his look 
Was awful, and his visage like a god's. 
Then would he smile again to stay her tears, 
And bid the vinas sound ; but once they set 
A stringed gourd on the sill, there where the wind 
Could linger o'er its notes and play at will — 
Wild music makes the wind on silver strings — 
And those who lay around heard only that ; 
But Prince Siddartha heard the Devas play, 
And to his ears they sang such words as these : — 

41 



42 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

W> e are the voices of the wandering wind, 
Which moan for rest and rest can never find ; 
Lo ! as the wind is so is mortal life, 
A moan, a sigh, a sob, a storm, a strife. 

Wherefore and whence we are ye cannot know, 
Nor where life springs nor whither life doth go / 
We are as ye are, ghosts from the inane, 
What pleasure have we of our changeful paint 

What pleasure hast thou of thy changeless bliss ? 
Nay, if love lasted, there were joy in this j 
But life's way is the wind's way, all these things 
Are but brief voices breathed on shifting strings. 

O Mayas son ! because we roam the earth 
Moan we upon these strings ; we make no mirth y 
So many woes we see in many lands, 
So many streaming eyes and wringi?tg hands. 

Yet mock we while we wail, for, could they know 9 
This life they cling to is but empty show ; 
' Twere all as well to bid a cloud to stand, 
' Or hold a running river with the hand. 

But thou that art to save, thine hour is nigh / 
The sad world waiteth in its misery, 
The blind world stumbleth on its round of pain ; 
Rise, Mayas child ! wake I slumber not again ! 

We are the voices of the wandering wind : 
Wander thou, too, O Prince, thy rest to find ; 



BOOK THE THIRD. 

Leave love for love of lovers, for woes sake 
Quit state for sorrow, and deliverance make. 

So sigh we, passing o'er the silver strings, 

To thee who know'st not yet of earthly things ; 

So say we ; mocking, as we pass away, 

These lovely shadows wherewith thou dost play. 



43 



Thereafter it befell he sate at eve 
Amid his beauteous Court, holding the hand 
Of sweet Yasodhara, and some maid told — 
With breaks of music when her rich voice dropped — 
An ancient tale to speed the hour of dusk, 
Of love, and of a magic horse, and lands 
Wonderful, distant, where pale peoples dwelled, 
And where the sun at night sank into seas. 
Then spake he, sighing, " Chitra 1 brings me back 
The wind's song in the strings with that fair tale. 
Give her, Yasodhara, thy pearl for thanks. 
But thou, my pearl ! is there so wide a world ? 
Is there a land which sees the great sun roll 
Into the waves, and are there hearts like ours, 
Countless, unknown, not happy — it may be — 
Whom we might succor if we knew of them ? 
Ofttimes I marvel, as the Lord of day 
Treads from the east his kingly road of gold, 
Who first on the world's edge hath hailed his beam, 
The children of the morning ; oftentimes, 
Even in thine arms and on thy breasts, bright wife, 
Sore have I panted, at the sun's decline, 
To pass with him into that crimson west 



44 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

And see the peoples of the evening. 

There must be many we should love — how else ? 

Now have I in this hour an ache, at last, 

Thy soft lips cannot kiss away : oh, girl ! 

O Chitra ! you that know of fairyland ! 

Where tether they that swift steed of the tale ? 

My palace for one day upon his back, 

To ride and ride and see the spread of the earth ! 

Nay, if I had yon callow vulture's plumes — 

The carrion heir of wider realms than mine — 

How would I stretch for topmost Himalay, 

Light where the rose-gleam lingers on those snows, 

And strain my gaze with searching what is round ! 

Why have I never seen and never sought ? 

Tell me what lies beyond our brazen gates." 

Then one replied, " The city first, fair Prince ! 
The temples, and the gardens, and the groves, 
And then the fields, and afterwards fresh fields, 
With nullahs, 2 maidans, 3 jungle, koss on koss ; 4 
And next King Bimbsara's realm, and then 
The vast flat world, with crores on crores 5 of folk." 
" Good," said Siddartha, " let the word be sent 
That Channa yoke my chariot — at noon 
To-morrow I shall ride and see beyond." 

Whereof they told the King : " Our Lord, thy son, 
Wills that his chariot be yoked at noon, 
That he may ride abroad and see mankind." 

" Yea ! " spake the careful King, " 'tis time he see ! 




BOOK THE THIRD- 45 

But let the criers go about and bid 

My city deck itself, so there be met 

No noisome sight ; and let none blind or maimed, 

None that is sick or stricken deep in years, 

No leper, and no feeble folk come forth." 

Therefore the stones were swept, and up and down 

The water-carriers sprinkled all the streets 

From spirting skins, 6 the housewives scattered fresh 

Red powder on their thresholds, strung new wreaths, 

And trimmed the tulsi-bush 7 before their doors. 

The paintings on the walls were heightened up 

With liberal brush, the trees set thick with flags, 

The idols gilded ; in the four-went ways 

Suryadeva 8 and the great gods shone 

'Mid shrines of leaves ; so that the city seemed 

A capital of some enchanted land. 

Also the criers passed, with drum and gong, 

Proclaiming loudly, " Ho ! all citizens, 

The King commands that there be seen to-day 

No evil sight : let no one blind or maimed, 

None that is sick or stricken deep in years, 

No leper, and no feeble folk go forth. 

Let none, too, burn his dead nor bring them out 

Till nightfall. Thus Suddhodana commands." 

So all was comely and the houses trim 
Throughout Kapilavastu, while the Prince 
Came forth in painted car, which two steers drew, 9 
Snow-white, with swinging dewlaps and huge humps 
Wrinkled against the carved and lacquered yoke. 
Goodly it was to mark the people's joy 



46 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Greeting their Prince ; and glad Siddartha waxed 
At sight of all those liege and friendly folk 
Bright-clad 10 and laughing as if life were good. 
" Fair is the world," he said, " it likes me well ! 
And light and kind these men that are not kings, 
And sweet my sisters here, who toil and tend ; 
What have I done for these to make them thus ? 
Why, if I love them, should those children know ? 
I pray take up yon pietty Sakya boy 
Who flung us flowers, and let him ride with me. 
How good it is to reign in realms like this ! 
How simple pleasure is, if these be pleased 
Because I come abroad ! How many things 
I need not if such little households hold 
Enough to make our city full of smiles ! 
Drive, Channa ! through the gates, and let me see 
More of this gracious world I have not known." 

So passed they through the gates, a joyous crowd 
Thronging about the wheels, whereof some ran 
Before the oxen, throwing wreaths, some stroked 
Their silken flanks, some brought them rice and cakes 
All crying, " Jai ! jai /" for our noble Prince ! " 
Thus all the path was kept with gladsome looks 
And filled with fair sights — for the King's word was 
That such should be — when midway in the read, 
Slow tottering from the hovel where he hid, 
Crept forth a wretch in rags, haggard and foul, 
An old, old man, whose shriveled skin, sun-tanned, 
Clung like a beast's hide to his fleshless bones. 
Bent was his back with load of many days, 




BOOK THE THIRD. 47 

His eyepits red with rust of ancient tears, 

His dim orbs blear with rheum, his toothless jaws 

Wagging with palsy and the fright to see 

So many and such joy. One skinny hand 

Clutched a worn staff to prop his quavering limbs, 

And one was pressed upon the ridge of ribs 

Whence came in gasps .the heavy painful breath. 

" Alms !" moaned he, "give, good people ! for I die 

To-morrow or the next day ! " then the cough 

Choked him, but still he stretched his palm, and stood 

Blinking, and groaning 'mid his spasms, " Alms ! " 

Then those around had wrenched his feeble feet 

Aside, and thrust him from the road again, 

Saying, " The Prince ! dost see ? get to thy lair ! " 

But that Siddartha cried, " Let be ! let be ! 

Channa ! what thing is this who seems a man, 

Yet surely only seems, being so bowed, 

So miserable, so horrible, so sad ? 

Are men born sometimes thus ? What meaneth he 

Moaning ' to-morrow or next day I die ? ' 

Finds he no food that so his bones jut forth ? 

What woe hath happened to this piteous one ? " 

Then answer made the charioteer, " Sweet Prince ! 

This is no other than an aged man. 

Some fourscore years ago his back was straight, 

His eye bright, and his body goodly : now 

The thievish years have sucked his sap away, 

Pillaged his strength and niched his will and wit ; 

His lamp has lost its oil, the wick burns black ; 

What life he keeps is one poor lingering spark 

Which flickers for the finish : such is age ; 



48 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Why should your Highness heed ? " Then spake the 

Prince — 
" But shall this come to others, or to all, 
Or is it rare that one should be as he ? " 
" Most noble," answered Channa, " even as he, 
Will all these grow if they shall live so long." 
"But," quoth the Prince, " if I shall live as long 
Shall I be thus ; and if Yasodhara 
Live fourscore years, is this old age for her, 
Jalini, 12 little Hasta, 13 Gautami, 14 
And Gunga, 15 and the others ? " " Yea, great Sir ! n 
The charioteer replied. Then spake the Prince : 
" Turn back, and drive me to my house again ! 
I have seen that I did not think to see." 

Which pondering, to his beauteous Court returned 
Wistful Siddartha, sad of mien and mood ; 
Nor tasted he the white cakes nor the fruits 
Spread for the evening feast, nor once looked up 
While the best palace-dancers strove to charm : 
Nor spake — save one sad thing — when wofully 
Yasodhara sank to his feet and wept, 
Sighing, " Hath not my Lord comfort in me ? " 
" Ah, Sweet ! " he said, " such comfort that my soul 
Aches, thinking it must end, for it will end, 16 
And we shall both grow old, Yasbdhara ! 
Loveless, unlovely, weak, and old, and bowed. 
Nay, though we locked up love and life with lips 
So close that night and day our breaths grew one, 
Time would thrust in between to filch away 
My passion and thy grace, as black Night steals 



BOOK THE THIRD. 49 

The rose-gleams from yon peak, which fade to gray 
And are not seen to fade. This have I found, 
And all my heart is darkened with its dread, 
And all my heart is fixed to think how Love 
Might save its sweetness from the slayer, Time, 
Who makes men old." So through that night he sate 
Sleepless, uncomforted. 

And all that night 
The King Suddhddana dreamed troublous dreams. 
The first fear of his vision was a flag 
Broad, glorious, glistening with a golden sun, 
The mark of Indra ; 17 but a strong wind blew, 
Rending its folds divine, and dashing it 
Into the dust ; whereat a concourse came 
Of shadowy Ones, who took the spoiled silk up 
And bore it eastward from the city gates. 
The second fear was ten huge elephants, 
With silver tusks and feet that shook the earth, 
Trampling the southern road in mighty march ; 
And he who sate upon the foremost beast 
Was the King's son — the others followed him. 
The third fear of the vision was a car, 
Shining with blinding light, which four steeds drew, 
Snorting white smoke and champing fiery foam ; 
And in the car the Prince Siddartha sate. 
The fourth fear was a wheel which turned and turned, 
With nave of burning gold and jeweled spokes, 
And strange things written on the binding tire, 
Which seemed both fire and music as it whirled. 
The fifth fear was a mighty drum, set down 
Midway between the city and the hills, 



50 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

On which the Prince beat with an iron mace, 

So that the sound pealed like a thunder-storm, 

Rolling around the sky and far away. 

The sixth fear was a tower, which rose and rose 

High o'er the city till its stately head 

Shone crowned with clouds, and on the top the Prince 

Stood, scattering from both hands, this way and that, 

Gems of most lovely light, as if it rained 

Jacinths and rubies ; and the whole world came, 

Striving to seize those treasures as they fell 

Towards the four quarters. But the seventh fear was 

A noise of wailing, and behold six men 

Who wept and gnashed their teeth, and laid their palms 

Upon their mouths, walking disconsolate. 

These seven fears made the vision of his sleep, 
But none of all his wisest dream-readers 
Could tell their meaning. Then the King was wroth, 
Saying, " There cometh evil to my house, 
And none of ye have wit to help me know 
What the great gods portend sending me this." 
So in the city men went sorrowful 
Because the King had dreamed seven signs of fear 
Which none could read ; but to the gate there came 
An aged man, in robe of deer-skin clad, 
By guise a hermit, known to none ; he cried, 
" Bring me before the King, for I can read 
The vision of his sleep ; " who, when he heard 
The sevenfold mysteries of the midnight dream, 
Bowed reverent and said, " O Maharaj ! 
I hail this favored House, whence shall arise 



BOOK THE THIRD. 51 

A wider-reaching splendor than the sun's ! 

Lo ! all these seven fears are seven joys, 

Whereof the first, where thou didst see a flag — 

Broad, glorious, gilt with Indra's badge — cast down 

And carried out, did signify the end 

Of old faiths and beginning of the new, 

For there is change with gods not less than men, 

And as the days pass kalpas pass at length. 

The ten great elephants that shook the earth 

The ten great gifts of wisdom signify, 18 

In strength whereof the Prince shall quit his state 

And shake the world with passage of the Truth. 

The four flame-breathing horses of the car 

Are those four fearless virtues 19 which shall bring 

Thy son from doubt and gloom to gladsome light ; 

The wheel that turned with nave of burning gold 

Was that most precious Wheel of perfect Law 

Which he shall turn in sight of all the world. 

The mighty drum whereon the Prince did beat, 

Till the sound filled all lands, doth signify 

The thunder of the preaching of the Word 

Which he shall preach ; the tower that grew to heaven 

The growing of the Gospel of this Buddh 

Sets forth : and those rare jewels scattered thence 

The untold treasures are of that good Law 

To gods and men dear and desirable. 

Sucn is the interpretation of the tower ; 

But for those six men weeping with shut mouths, 

They are the six chief teachers whom thy son 

Shall, with bright truth and speech unanswerable, 

Convince of foolishness. O King ! rejoice ; 

The fortune of my Lord the Prince is more 



52 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Than kingdoms, and his hermit-rags will be 

Beyond fine cloths of gold. This was thy dream ! 

And in seven nights and days these things shall fall." 

So spake the holy man, and lowly made 

The eight prostrations, touching thrice the ground ; 

Then turned and passed ; but when the King bade send 

A rich gift after him, the messengers 

Brought word, " We came to where he entered in 

At Chandra's temple, 20 but within was none 

Save a gray owl which fluttered from the shrine." 

The gods come sometimes thus. 

But the sad King 
Marveled, and gave command that new delights 
Be compassed to inthrall Siddartha's heart 
Amid those dancers of his pleasure-house, 
Also he set at all the brazen doors 
A doubled guard. 

Yet who shall shut out Fate ? 

For once again the spirit of the Prince 
Was moved to see this world beyond his gates, 
This life of man, so pleasant if its waves 
Ran not to waste and woful finishing 
In Time's dry sands. " I pray you let me view 
Our city as it is," such was his prayer 
To King Suddhodana. " Your Majesty 
In tender heed hath warned the folk before 
To put away ill things and common sights, 
And make their faces glad to gladden me, 
And all the causeways gay ; yet have I learned 
This is not daily life, and if T stand 







BOOK THE THIRD. 53 

earest, my father, to the realm and thee, 
Fain would I know the people and the streets, 
Their simple usual ways, and work-day deeds, 
And lives which those men live who are not kings. 
Give me good leave, dear Lord ! to pass unknown 
Beyond my happy gardens ; I shall come 
The more contented to their peace again, 
Or wiser, father, if not well content. 
Therefore, I pray thee, let me go at will 
To-morrow, with my servants, through the streets." 
And'the King said, among his Ministers, 
" Belike this second flight may mend the first. 
Note how the falcon starts at every sight 
New from his hood, but what a quiet eye 
Cometh of freedom ; let my son see all, (i 

And bid them bring me tidings of his mind." 

Thus on the morrow, when the noon was come, 
The Prince and Channa passed beyond the gates, 
Which opened to the signet of the King ; 
Yet knew not they who rolled the great doors back 
It was the King's son in that merchant's robe, 21 
And in the clerkly dress 22 his charioteer. 
Forth fared they by the common way afoot, 
Mingling with all the Sakya citizens, 
Seeing the glad and sad things of the town : 
The painted streets alive with hum of noon, 
The traders cross-legged 'mid their spice and grain, 
The buyers with their money in the cloth, 24 
The war of words to cheapen this or that, 25 
The shout to clear the road, 26 the huge stone wheels, 
The strong slow oxen and their rustling loads, 



23 



54 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

The singing bearers with the palanquins, 27 

The broad-necked hamals 28 sweating in the sun, 

The housewives bearing water from the well 

With balanced chatties, and athwart their hips 

The black-eyed babes ; 29 the fly-swarmed sweetmeat 

shops, 30 
The weaver at his loom, 31 the cotton-bow 
Twanging, 32 the millstones grinding meal, the dogs 
Prowling for orts, the skillful armorer 
With tong and hammer linking shirts of mail, 
The blacksmith with a mattock and a spear 
Reddening together in his coals, the school 
Where round their Guru, in a grave half-moon, 
The Sakya children sang the mantras through, 
And learned the greater and the lesser gods ; ra 
The dyers stretching waistcloths in the sun 34 
Wet from the vats — orange, and rose, and green ; 
The soldiers clanking past with swords and shields, 
The camel-drivers rocking on the humps, 
The Brahmin proud, 35 the martial Kshatriya, 36 
The humble toiling Sudra ; 37 here a throng 
Gathered to watch some chattering snake-tamer 
Wind round his wrist the living jewelry 
Of asp and nag, 38 or charm the hooded death 
To angry dance with drone of beaded gourd ; 39 
There a long line of drums and horns, which went 
With steeds gay painted and silk canopies, 
To bring the young bride home ; and here a wife 
Stealing with cakes and garlands to the god 
To pray her husband's safe return from trade, 
Or beg a boy next birth ; 40 hard by the booths 



BOOK THE THIRD. 55 

Where the swart potters beat the noisy brass 
For lamps and lotas ; 41 thence, by temple walls 
And gateways, to the river and the bridge 
Under the city walls. 

These had they passed 
When from the roadside moaned a mournful voice, 
" Help, masters ! lift me to my feet ; oh, help ! 
Or I shall die before I reach my house ! " 
A stricken wretch it was, whose quivering frame, 
Caught by some deadly plague, lay in the dust 
Writhing, with fiery purple blotches specked ; 
The chill sweat beaded on his brow, his mouth 
Was dragged awry with twitchings of sore pain, 
The wild eyes swam with inward agony. 
Gasping, he clutched the grass to rise, and rose 
Half-way, then sank, with quaking feeble limbs 
And scream of terror, crying, "Ah, the pain ! 
Good people, help ! " whereon Siddartha ran, 
Lifted the woful man with tender hands, 
With sweet looks laid the sick head on his knee, 
And while his soft touch comforted the wretch, 
Asked, " Brother, what is ill with thee ? what harm 
Hath fallen ? wherefore canst thou not arise ? 
Why is it, Channa, that he pants and moans, 
And gasps to speak and sighs so pitiful ? " 
Then spake the charioteer : " Great Prince ! this man 
Is smitten with some pest ; his elements 
Are all confounded ; in his veins the blood, 
Which ran a wholesome river, leaps and boils 
A fiery flood ; his heart, which kept good time, 
Beats like an ill-played drum-skin, quick and slow ; 



56 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

His sinews slacken like a bow-string slipped ; 

The strength is gone from ham, and loin, and neck, 

And all the grace and joy of manhood fled : 

This is a sick man with the fit upon him. 

See how he plucks and plucks to seize his grief, 

And rolls his bloodshot orbs, and grinds his teeth, 

And draws his breath as if 'twere choking smoke. 

Lo ! now he would be dead, but shall not die 

Until the plague hath had its work in him, 

Killing the nerves which die before the life ; 

Then, when his strings have cracked with agony 

And all his bones are empty of the sense 

To ache, the plague will quit and light elsewhere. 

Oh, sir ! it is not good to hold him so ! 

The harm may pass, and strike thee, even thee." 

But spake the Prince, still comforting the man, 

" And are there others, are there many thus ? 

Or might it be to me as now with him ?" 

" Great Lord ! " answered the charioteer, " this comes 

In many forms to all men ; griefs and wounds, 

Sickness and tetters, palsies, leprosies, 

Hot fevers, watery wastings, issues, blains 

Befall all flesh and enter everywhere." 

" Come such ills unobserved ?" the Prince inquired. 

And Channa said, " Like the sly snake they come 

That stings unseen ; like the striped murderer, 42 

Who waits to spring from the Karunda bush," 43 

Hiding beside the jungle path ; or like 

The lightning, striking these and sparing those, 

As chance may send." 

" Then all men live in fear ? ' 



BOOK THE THIRD. 57 

" So live they, Prince ! " 

" And none can say, ' I sleep 
Happy and whole to-night, and so shall wake ? ' " 
" None say it." 

" And the end of many aches, 
Which come unseen, and will come when they come, 
Is this, a broken body and sad mind, 
And so old age ? " 

" Yea, if men last as long." 
" But if they cannot bear their agonies, 
Or if they will not bear, and seek a term ; 
Or if they bear, and be, as this man is, 
Too weak except for groans, and so still live, 
And growing old, grow older, then what end ? " 
" They die, Prince." 

" Die ? " 

" Yea, at the last comes death, 
In whatsoever way, whatever hour. 
Some few grow old, most suffer and fall sick, 
But all must die — behold, where comes the Dead !" 

Then did Siddartha raise his eyes, and see 

Fast pacing towards the river brink a band 

Of wailing people, foremost one who swung 

An earthen bowl with lighted coals, 44 behind 

The kinsmen shorn, 45 with mourning marks, ungirt, 

Crying aloud, " O Rama, 46 Rama, hear ! 

Call upon Rama, brothers ; " next the bier, 

Knit of four poles with bamboos interlaced; 

Whereon lay, stark and stiff, feet foremost, lean, 

Chapfallen, sightless, hollow-flanked, a-grin; 



58 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Sprinkled with red and yellow dust — the Dead, 
Whom at the four-went ways they turned head first, 
And crying " Rama, Rama ! " carried on 
To where a pile was reared beside the stream ; 47 
Thereon they laid him, building fuel up — 
Good sleep hath one that slumbers on that bed ! 
He shall not wake for cold albeit he lies 
Naked to all the airs — for soon they set 
The red flame to the corners four, which crept, 
And licked, and flickered, finding out his flesh 
And feeding on it with swift hissing tongues, 
And crackle of parched skin, and snap of joint ; 
Till the fat smoke thinned and the ashes sank 
Scarlet and gray, with here and there a bone 
White midst the gray — the total of the man. 

Then spake the Prince : "Is this the end which comes 
To all who live ? " 

" This is the end that comes 
To all," quoth Channa ; "he upon the pyre — 
Whose remnants are so petty that the crows 
Caw hungrily, then quit the fruitless feast — 
Ate, drank, laughed, loved, and lived, and liked life well. 
Then came — who knows ? — some gust of jungle wind. 
A stumble on the path, a taint in the tank, 
A snake's nip, half a span of angry steel, 
A chill, a fishbone, or a falling tile, 
And life was over and the man is dead ; 
No appetites, no pleasures, and no pains 
Hath such ; the kiss upon his lips is nought, 
The fire-scorch nought ; he smelleth not his flesh 



BOOK THE THIRD. 59 

A-roast, nor yet the sandal and the spice 

They burn ; the taste is emptied from his mouth, 

The hearing of his ears is clogged, the sight 

Is blinded in his eyes ; those whom he loved 

Wail desolate, for even that must go, 

The body, which was lamp unto the life, 

Or worms will have a horrid feast of it. 

Here is the common destiny of flesh : 

The high and low, the good and bad, must die, 

And then, 'tis taught, begin anew and live 

Somewhere, somehow, — who knows ? — and so again 

The pangs, the parting, and the lighted pile : — 

Such is man's round." ^ 

But lo ! Siddartha turned 
Eyes gleaming with divine tears to the sky, 
Eyes lit with heavenly pity to the earth ; 
From sky to earth he looked, from earth to sky, 
As if his spirit sought in lonely flight 
Some far-off vision, linking this and that, 
Lost — past — but searchable, but seen, but known. 
Then cried he, while his lifted countenance 
Glowed with the burning passion of a love 
Unspeakable, the ardor of a hope 
Boundless, insatiate : " Oh ! suffering world, 
Oh ! known and unknown of my common flesh, 
Caught in this common net of death and woe, 
And life which binds to both ! I see, I feel 
The vastness of the agony of earth, 
The vainness of its joys, the mockery 
Of all its best, the anguish of its worst ; 
Since pleasures end in pain, and youth in age, 



60 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

And love in loss, and life in hateful death, 

And death in unknown lives, which will but yoke 

Men to their wheel again to whirl the round - 

Of false delights and woes that are not false. 

Me too this lure hath cheated, so it seemed 

Lovely to live, and life a sunlit stream 

Forever flowing in a changeless peace ; 

Whereas the foolish ripple of the flood 

Dances so lightly down by bloom and lawn 

Only to pour its crystal quicklier 

Into the foul salt sea. The veil is rent 

Which blinded me ! I am as all these men 

Who cry upon their gods and are not heard 

Or are not heeded — yet there must be aid ! 

For them and me and all there must be help ' 

Perchance the gods have need of help themselves 

Being so feeble that when sad lips cry 

They cannot save ! I would not let one cry 

Whom I could save ! How can it be that Brahm * 9 

Would make a world and keep it miserable, 

Since, if all-powerful, he leaves it so, 

He is not good, and if not powerful, 

He is not God ? — Channa ! lead home again ! 

It is enough ! mine eyes have seen enough ! " 

Which when the King heard, at the gates he set 
A triple guard, and bade no man should pass 
By day or night, issuing or entering in, 
Until the days were numbered of that dream. 



Book tl)e iFonrtf). 



But when the days were numbered, then befell 
The parting of our Lord — which was to be — 
Whereby came wailing in the Golden Home, 
Woe to the King and sorrow o'er the land, 
But for all flesh deliverance, and that Law 
Which — whoso hears — the same shall make him free. 

Softly the Indian night sinks on the plains 
At full moon in the month of Chaitra shud, 1 
When mangoes redden and the asoka buds 2 
Sweeten the breeze, and Rama's birthday comes, 3 
And all the fields are glad and all the towns. 
Softly that night fell over Vishramvan, 
Fragrant with blooms and jeweled thick with stars, 
And cool with mountain airs sighing adown 
From snow-flats on Himala high-outspread ; 
For the moon swung above the eastern peaks, 
Climbing the spangled vault, and lighting clear 
Rohini's ripples and the hills and plains, 
And all the sleeping land, and near at hand 
Silvering those roof-tops of the pleasure-house. 
Where nothing stirred nor sign of watching was, 
Save at the outer gates whose warders cried 

61 



62 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Mudra? the watchword, and the countersign 
Angaria, 5 and the watch-drums beat a round ; 
Whereat the earth lay still, except for call 
Of prowling jackals, and the ceaseless trill 
Of crickets on the garden grounds. 

Within — 
Where the moon glittered through the lace-worked stone, 
Lighting the walls of pearl-shell and the floors 
Paved with veined marble — softly fell her beams 
On such rare company of Indian girls, 
It seemed some chamber sweet in Paradise 
Where Devas 6 rested. All the chosen ones 
Of Prince Siddartha's pleasure-home were there, 
The brightest and most faithful of the Court, 
Each form so lovely in the peace of sleep, 
That you had said " This is the pearl of all! "\ 
Save that beside her or beyond her lay 
Fairer and fairer, till the pleasured gaze 
Roamed o'er that feast of beauty as it roams 
From gem to gem in some great goldsmith- work, 
Caught by each color till the next is seen. 
With careless grace they lay. their soft brown limbs 
Part hidden, part revealed ; their glossy hair 
Bound back with gold or flowers, or flowing loose 
In black waves down the shapely nape and neck. 
Lulled into pleasant dreams by happy toils, 
They slept, no wearier than jeweled birds 
Which sing and love all day, then under wing 
Fold head till morn bids sing and love again. 
Lamps of chased silver swinging from the roof 



BOOK THE FOURTH. 63 

In silver chains, and fed with perfumed oils, 

Made with the moonbeams tender lights and shades, 

Whereby were seen the perfect lines of grace, 

The bosom's placid heave, the soft stained palms 

Drooping or clasped, the faces fair and dark, 

The great arched brows, the parted lips, the teeth 

Like pearls a merchant picks to make a string, 

The satin-lidded eyes, with lashes dropped 

Sweeping the delicate cheeks, the rounded wrists, 

The smooth small feet with bells and bangles decked, 

Tinkling low music where some sleeper moved, 

Breaking her smiling dream of some new dance 

Praised by the Prince, some magic ring to find, 

Some fairy love-gift. Here one lay full-length, 

Her vina by her cheek, and in its strings 

The little fingers still all interlaced 

As when the last notes of her light song played 

Those radiant eyes to sleep and sealed her own. 

Another slumbered folding in her arms 

A desert-antelope, its slender head 

Buried with back-sloped horns between her breasts. 

Soft nestling ; it was eating — when both drowsed — 

Red roses, and her loosening hand still held 

A rose half-mumbled, while a rose-leaf curled 

Between the deer's lips. Here two friends had dozed 

Together, weaving mogra-buds, which bound 

Their sister-sweetness in a starry chain, 

Linking them limb to limb and heart to heart 

One pillowed on the blossoms, one on her. 

Another, ere she slept, was stringing stones 

To make a necklet — agate, onyx, sard, 



64 ^jthe LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Coral, and moonstone — round her wrist it gleamed 
A coil of splendid color, while she held, 
Unthreaded yet, the bead to close it up, 
Green turkis, carved with golden gods and scripts. 
Lulled by the cadence of the garden stream, 
Thus lay they on the clustered carpets, each 
A girlish rose with shut leaves, waiting dawn 
To open and make daylight beautiful. 
This was the antechamber of the Prince ; 
But at the purdah's fringe the sweetest slept — 
Gunga and Gotama — chief ministers 
In that still house of love. 

The purdah hung, 
Crimson and blue, with broidered threads of gold, 
Across a portal carved in sandal-wood, 
Whence by three steps the way was to the bower 
Of inmost splendor, and the marriage-couch 
Set on a dais soft with silver cloths, 
Where the foot fell as though it trod on piles 
Of neem-blooms. All the walls were plates of pearl, 
Cut shapely from the shells of Lanka's 7 wave ; 
And o'er the alabaster roof there ran 
Rich inlayings of lotus and of bird, 
Wrought in skilled work of lazulite and jade, 
Jacinth and jasper ; woven round the dome, 
And down the sides, and all about the frames 
Wherein were set the fretted lattices, 
Through which there breathed, with moonlight and cool 

airs, 
Scents from the shell- flowers and the jasmine sprays ; 
Not bringing thither grace or tenderness 



BOOK THE FOURTH. 65 

Sweeter than shed from those fair presences 
Within the place — the beauteous Sakya Prince. 
And hers, the stately, bright Yasodhara. 

Half risen from her soft nest at his side, 
The chuddah 8 fallen to her waist, her brow 
Laid in both palms, the lovely Princess leaned 
With heaving bosom and fast falling tears. 
Thrice with her lips she touched Siddartha's hand, 
And at the third kiss moaned, " Awake, my Lcrd ! 
Give me the comfort of thy speech ! " Then he — 
" What is it with thee, O my life ? " but still 
She moaned anew before the words would come ; 
Then spake, " Alas, my Prince ! I sank to sleep 
Most happy, for the babe I bear of thee 
Quickened this eve, and at my heart there beat 
That double pulse of life and joy and love 
Whose happy music lulled me, but — aho ! — 
In slumber I beheld three sights of dread, 
With thought whereof my heart is throbbing yet. 
I saw a white bull with wide branching horns, 
A lord of pastures, pacing through the streets, 
Bearing upon his front a gem which shone 
As if some star had dropped to glitter there, 
Or like the kantha-stone 9 the great Snake keeps 
To make bright daylight underneath the earth. 
Slow through the streets towards the gates he paced, 
And none could stay him, though there came a voice 
From Indra's temple, ' If ye stay him not, 
The glory of the city goeth forth.' 
Yet none could stay him. Then I wept aloud, 



66 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 






And locked my arms about his neck, and strove, 

And bade them bar the gates ; but that ox-king 

Bellowed, and, lightly tossing free his crest, 

Broke from my clasp, and bursting through the bars, 

Trampled the warders down and passed away* 

The next strange dream was this : Four Presences 

Splendid, with shining eyes, so beautiful 

They seemed the Regents of the Earth who dwell 

On Mount Sumeru, lighting from the sky 

With retinue of countless heavenly ones, 

Swift swept unto our city, where I saw 

The golden flag of Indra on the gate 

Flutter and fall ; and lo ! there rose instead 

A glorious banner, all the folds whereof 

Rippled with flashing fire of rubies sewn 

Thick on the silver threads, the rays wherefrom 

Set forth new words and weighty sentences 

Whose message made all living creatures glad ; 

And from the east the wind of sunrise blew 

With tender waft, opening those jeweled scrolls 

So that all flesh might read ; and wondrous blooms — 

Plucked in what clime I know not — fell in showers, 

Colored as none are colored in our groves." 

Then spake the Prince : " All this, my Lotus-flower 5 
Was good to see." 

" Ay, Lord," the Princess said, 
"Save that it ended with a voice of fear 
Crying, ' The time is nigh ! the time is nigh ! ' 
Thereat the third dream came ; for when I sought 
Thy side, sweet Lord ! ah, on our bed there lay 



__ 




BOOK THE FOURTH Cj 

An impressed pillow and an empty rot 
Nothing of thee but those ! — nothing of thee, 
Who art my life and light, my king, my world ! 
And sleeping still I rose, and sleeping saw 
Thy belt of pearls, tied here below my breasts, 
Change to a stinging snake ; my ankle-rings 
Fall off, my golden bangles part and fall • 
The jasmines in my hair wither to dust ; 
While this our bridal-couch sank to the ground, 
And something rent the crimson purdah down ; 
Then far away I heard the white bull low, 
And far away the embroidered banner flap, 
And once again that cry, ' The time is come ! ' 
But with that cry — which shakes my spirit still — 
I woke ! O Prince ! what may such visions mean 
Except I die, or — worse than any death — 
Thou shouldst forsake me or be taken ? " 

Sweet 
As the last smile of sunset was the look 
Siddartha bent upon his weeping wife. 
" Comfort thee, dear ! " he said, " if comfort lives 
In changeless love ; for though thy dreams may be 
Shadows of things to come, and though the gods 
Are shaken in their seats, and though the world 
Stands nigh, perchance, to know some way of help, 
Yet, whatsoever fall to thee and me, 
Be sure I loved and love Yasbdhara. 
Thou knowest how I muse these many moons, 
Seeking to save the sad earth I have seen ; 
A.nd when the time comes, that which will be will. 
put if my douI yearns sore for souls unknown, 



68 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

And if I grieve for griefs which are not mine, 

Judge how my high-winged thoughts must hover here 

O'er all these lives that share and sweeten mine — 

So dear ! and thine the dearest, gentlest, best, 

And nearest. Ah, thou mother of my babe ! 

Whose body mixed with mine for this fair hope, 

When most my spirit wanders, ranging round 

The lands and seas — as full of ruth for men 

As the far-flying dove is full of ruth 

For her twin nestlings — ever it has come 

Home with glad wing and passionate plumes to thee, 

Who art the sweetness of my kind best seen, 

The utmost of their good, the tenderest 

Of all their tenderness, mine most of all. 

Therefore, whatever after this betide, 

Bethink thee of that lordly bull which owed, 

That jeweled banner in thy dream which waved 

Its folds departing, and of this be sure, 

Always I loved and always love thee well, 

And what I sought for all sought most for thee. 

But thou, take comfort ; and, if sorrow falls, 

Take comfort still in deeming there may be 

A way of peace on earth by woes of ours ; 

And have with this embrace what faithful love 

Can think of thanks or frame for benison — 

Too little, seeing love's strong self is weak — 

Yet kiss me on the mouth, and drink these words 

From heart to heart therewith, that thou mayst know- 

What others will not — that I loved thee most 

Because I loved so well all living souls. 

Now, Princess ! rest, for I will rise and watch." 



BOOK THE FOURTH. 69 

Then in her tears she slept, but sleeping sighed — 
As if that vision passed again — " The time ! 
The time is come ! " Whereat Siddartha turned, 
And, lo ! the moon shone by the Crab ! the stars 
In that same silver order long foretold 
>tood ranged to say, " This is the night ! — choose thou 
The way of greatness or the way of good : 
To reign a King of kings, or wander lone, 
Crownless and homeless, that the world be helped." 
Moreover, with the whispers of the gloom 
Came to his ears again that warning song, 
As when the Devas spoke upon the wind : 
And surely Gods were round about the place 
Watching our Lord, who watched the shining stars. 

" I will depart," he spake ; " the hour is come ! 
Thy tender lips, dear sleeper, summon me 
To that which saves the earth but sunders us ; 

nd in the silence of yon sky I read 
My fated message flashing. Unto this 
Came I, and unto this all nights and days 
Have led me ; for I will not have that crown 
Which may be mine : I lay aside those realms 
Which wait the gleaming of my naked sword : 
My chariot shall not roll with bloody wheels 
From victory to victory, till earth 
Wears the red record of my name. I choose 
To tread its paths with patient, stainless feet, 
Making its dust my bed, its loneliest wastes 
My dwelling, and its meanest things my mates : 
Clad in no prouder garb than outcasts wear, 



70 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Fed with no meats save what the charitable 

Give of their will, sheltered by no more pomp 

Than the dim cave lends or the jungle-bush. 

This will I do because the woful cry 

Of life and all flesh living cometh up 

Into my ears, and all my soul is full 

Of pity for the sickness of this world ; 

Which I will heal, if healing may be found 

By uttermost renouncing and strong strife. 

For which of all the great and lesser Gods 

Have power or pity ? Who hath seen them — who ? 

What have they wrought to help their worshipers ? 

How hath it steaded man to pray, and pay 

Tithes of the corn and oil, to chant the charms, 

To slay the shrieking sacrifice, to rear 

The stately fane, to feed the priests, and call 

On Vishnu, 10 Shiva, 11 Surya, 12 who save 

None — not the worthiest — rfrom the griefs that teach 

Those litanies of flattery and fear 

Ascending day by day, like wasted smoke ? 

Hath any of my brothers 'scaped thereby 

The aches of life, the stings of love and loss, 

The fiery fever and the ague-shake, 

The slow, dull sinking into withered age, 

The horrible dark death — and what beyond 

Waits — till the whirling wheel comes up again, 

And new lives bring new sorrows to be borne, 

New generations for the new desires 

Which have their end in the old mockeries ? 

Hath any of my tender sisters found 

Fruit of the fast or harvest of the hymn, 




BOOK THE FOURTH. . J I 

i bought one pang the less at bearing-time 
For white curds offered and trim tulsi-leaves ? 
Nay ; it may be some of the Gods are good 
And evil some, but all in action weak ; 
Both pitiful and pitiless, and both — 
As men are — bound upon this wheel of change, 

jKnowing the former and the after lives. 

For so our scriptures truly seem to teach, 

That — once, and wheresoe'er, and whence begun — 

Life runs its rounds of living, climbing up 

From mote, and gnat, and worm, reptile, and fish, 

Bird and shagged beast, man, demon, deva, God, 

To clod and mote again ; so are we kin 

To all that is ; and thus, if one might save 

Man from his curse, the whole wide world should share 

The lightened horror of this ignorance 

Whose shadow is chill fear, and cruelty 

Its bitter pastime. Yea, if one might save ! 

And means must be ! There must be refuge ! Men 

Perished in winter-winds till one smote fire 

From flint-stones coldly hiding what they held, 

The red spark treasured from the kindling sun. 

They gorged on flesh like wolves, till one sowed corn, 

Which grew a weed, yet makes the life of man ; 

They mowed and babbled till some tongue struck speech* 

i And patient fingers framed the lettered sound. 
What good gift have my brothers, but it came 

1 From search and strife and loving sacrifice ? 
If one, then, being great and fortunate, 
Rich, dowered with health and ease, from birth designed 
To rule — if he would rule — a King of kings ; 



72 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

If one, not tired with life's long day but glad 

I' the freshness of its morning, one not cloyed 

With love's delicious feasts, but hungry still ; 

If one not worn and wrinkled, sadly sage, 

But joyous in the glory and the grace 

That mix with evils here, and free to choose 

Earth's loveliest at his will : one even as I, 

Who ache not, lack not, grieve not, save with griefs 

Which are not mine, except as I am man ; — 

If such a one, having so much to give, 

Gave all, laying it down for love of men, 

And thenceforth spent himself to search for truth, 

Wringing the secret of deliverance forth, 

Whether it lurk in hells or hide in heavens, 

Or hover, unrevealed, nigh unto all : 

Surely at last, far off, sometime, somewhere, 

The veil would lift for his deep-searching eyes, 

The road would open for his painful feet, 

That should be won for which he lost the world, 

And Death might find him conqueror of death. 

This will I do, who have a realm to lose, 

Because I love my realm, because my heart 

Beats with each throb of all the hearts that ache, 

Known and unknown, these that are mine and those 

Which shall be mine, a thousand million more 

Saved by this sacrifice I offer now. 

Oh, summoning stars ! I come ! Oh, mournful eartn I 

For thee and thine I lay aside my youth, 

My throne, my joys, my golden days, my nights, 

My happy palace — and thine arms, sweet Queen ! 

Harder to put aside than all the rest ! 



BOOK THE FOURTH. 73 

r et thee, too, I shall save, saving this earth ; 
And that which stirs within thy tender womb, 
My child, the hidden blossom of our loves, 
Whom if I wait to bless my mind will fail. 
Wife ! child ! father ! and people ! ye must share 
A little while the anguish of this hour 
That light may break and all flesh learn the Law. 
Now am I fixed, and now I will depart, 
Never to come again till what I seek 
Be found — if fervent search and strife avail." 

So with his brow he touched her feet, and bent 
The farewell of fond eyes, unutterable, 
Upon her sleeping face, 13 still wet with tears ; 
And thrice around the bed in reverence, 
As though it were an altar, softly stepped 
With clasped hands laid upon his beating heart, 
" For never," spake he, M lie I there again ! " 
And thrice he made to go, but thrice came back, 
So strong her beauty was, so large his love : 
Then, o'er his head drawing his cloth, he turned 
And raised the purdah's edge : 

There drooped, close-hushed, 
In such sealed sleep as water-lilies know, 
The lovely garden of his Indian girls ; 
That twin dark-petaled lotus-buds of all — 
Gunga and Gautami — on either side, 
And those, their silk-leaved sisterhood, beyond. 
" Pleasant ye are to me, sweet friends ! " he said, 
" And dear to leave ; yet if I leave ye not 
What else will come to all of us save eld 



74 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Without assuage and death without avail ? 

Lo ! as ye lie asleep so must ye lie 

A-dead ; and when the rose dies where are gone 

Its scent and splendor ? when the lamp is drained 

Whither is fled the flame ? Press heavy, Night ! 

Upon their down-dropped lids and seal their lips, 

That no tear stay me and no faithful voice. 

For all the brighter that these made my life, 

The bitterer it is that they and I, 

And all, should live as trees do — so much spring, 

Such and such rains and frosts, such winter-times, 

And then dead leaves, with may be spring again, 

Or ax-stroke at the root. This will not I, 

Whose life here was a God's ! — this would not I, 

Though all my days were godlike, while men moan 

Under their darkness. Therefore farewell, friends ! 

While life is good to give, I give, and go 

To seek deliverance and that unknown Light ! " 

Then, lightly treading where those sleepers lay, 

Into the night Siddartha passed : its eyes, 

The watchful stars, looked love on him : its breath, 

The wandering wind, kissed his robe's fluttered fringe ; 

The garden-blossoms, folded for the dawn, 

Opened their velvet hearts to waft him scents 

From pink and purple censers : o'er the land, 

From Himalay unto the Indian Sea, 

A tremor spread, as if earth's soul beneath 

Stirred with an unknown hope ; and holy books — 

Which tell the story of our Lord — say, too, 

That rich celestial musics thrilled the air 



BOOK THE TOURTH./ 75 

'rom hosts on hosts of shining ones, who thronged 
Eastward and westward, making bright the night — 
Northward and southward, making glad the ground. 
Also those four dread Regents of the Earth, 
Descending at the doorway, two by two, — 
With their bright legions of Invisibles 
In arms of sapphire, silver, gold, and pearl- 
Watched with joined hands the Indian Prince, who stood, 
His tearful eyes raised to the stars, and lips 
Close-set with purpose of prodigious love. 

Then strode he forth into the gloom and cried, 
" Channa, awake ! and bring out Kantaka ! " 

" What would my Lord ? " the charioteer replied — 
Slow-rising from his place beside the gate — 
" To ride at night when all the ways are dark ? " 

" Speak low," Siddartha said, "and bring my horse, 
For now the hour is come when I should quit 
This golden prison where my heart lives caged 
To find the truth ; which henceforth I will seek, 
For all men's sake, until the truth be found" 

" Alas ! dear Prince," answered the charioteer, 
" Spake then for nought those wise and holy men 
Who cast the stars and bade us wait the time 
When King Suddhodana's great son should rule 
Realms upon realms, and be a Lord of lords ? 
Wilt thou ride hence and let the rich world slip 
Out of thy grasp, to hold a beggar's bowl ? 



76 THE LIGHT- OF ASIA. 

Wilt thou go forth into the friendless waste 
That hast this Paradise of pleasures here ? " 

The Prince made answer, " Unto this I came, 
And not for thrones : the kingdom that I crave 
Is more than many realms — and all things pass 
To change and death. Bring me forth Kantaka ! * 

" Most 'honored," spake again the charioteer, 
" Bethink f.Uee of my Lord thy father's grief ! 
Bethink thee rf their woe whose bliss thou art — 
How shalt thou help them, first undoing them ? " 

Siddartha answered, rt Friend, that love is false 
Which clings to love for selfish sweets of love ; 
But I, who love these more than joys of mine — 
Yea, more than joy of theirs — depart to save 
Them and a 1 ! flesh, if utmost love avail. 
Go, bring mo Kantaka ! " 

Then Channa said, 
" Master, I go ! " and forthwith, mournfully, 
Unto the stall he passed, and from the rack 
Took down the silver bit and bridle-chains, 
Breast-cord and curb, and knitted fast the straps, 
And linked the hooks, and led out Kantaka : 
Whom tethering to the ring, he combed and dressed 
Stroking the snowy coat to silken gloss ; 
Next on the steed he laid the numdah u square, 
Fitted the saddle-cloth across, and set 
The saddle fair, drew tight the jeweled girths, 



BOOK THE FOURTH. 

Buckled the breech-bands and the martingale, 

L nd made fall both the stirrups of worked gold. . 
Then over all he cast a golden net, 
With tassels of seed-pearl and silken strings, 
And led the great horse to the palace door, 
Where stood the Prince ; but when he saw his Lord, 
Right glad he waxed and joyouoly he neighed, 
Spreading his scarlet nostrils ; and the books 
Write, " Surely all had heard Kantaka's neigh, 
And that strong trampling of his iron heels, 
>ave that the Devas laid their unseen wings 
Over their ears and kept the sleepers deaf." 

Fondly Siddartha drew the proud head down, 
Patted the shining neck, and said, " Be still, 
White Kantaka ! be still, and bear me now 
The farthest journey ever rider rode ; 
For this night take I horse to find the truth, 
And where my quest will end yet know I not, 
Save that it shall not end until I find. 
Therefore to-night, good steed, be fierce and bold ! 
Let nothing stay thee, though a thousand blades 
Deny the road ! let neither wall nor moat 
Forbid our flight ! Look ! if I touch thy flank 
And cry, 'On, Kantaka ! ' let whirlwinds lag 
Behind thy course ! Be fire and air, my horse ! 
To stead thy Lord, so shalt thou share with him 
The greatness of this deed which helps the world ; 
For therefore ride I, not for men alone, 
But for all things which, speechless, share our pain 
And have no hope, nor wit to ask for hope. 
Now, therefore, bear thy master valorously'" 



78 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Then to the saddle lightly leaping, he 
Touched the arched crest, and Kantaka sprang forth 
With armed hoofs sparkling on the stones and ring 
Of champing bit ; but none did hear that sound, 
For that the Suddha Devas, 15 gathering near, 
Plucked the red mohra-ftowers 16 and strewed them thick 
Under his tread, while hands invisible 
Muffled the ringing bit and bridle-chains. 
Moreover, it is written when they came 
Upon the pavement near the inner gates. 
The Yakshas of the air laid magic cloths 
Under the stallion's feet, so that he went 
Softly and still. 

But when they reached the gate 1 ' 
Of tripled brass — which hardly fivescore men 
Served to unbar and open — lo I the doors 
Rolled back all silently, though one might hear 
, ft daytime two kos off the thunderous roar 
Of those grim hinges and unwieldy plates. 

.i.rso the middle and the outer gates 
Unfolded each their monstrous portals thus 
In silence as Siddartha and his steed 
Drew near ; while underneath their shadow lay, 
Silent as dead men, all those chosen guards — 
The lance and sword let fall, the shields unbraced, 
Captains and soldiers — for there came a wind, 
Urowsier than blows o'er Malwa's 18 fields of sleep, 
before the Prince's path, which, being breathed, 
Lulled every sense aswoon : and so he passed 
Free from the palace. 






BOOK THE FOURTH. 79 

When the morning star 
Stood half a spear's length from the eastern rim, 
And o'er the earth the breath of morning sighed 
Rippling Anoma's wave, 19 the border-stream, 
Then drew he rein, and leaped to earth and kissed 
White Kantaka betwixt the ears, and spake 
Full sweet to Channa: 20 " This which thou hast done 
Shall bring thee good and bring all creatures good. 
Be sure I love thee always for thy love. 
Lead back my horse and take my crest-pearl here, 
My princely robes, which henceforth stead me not, 
My ieweled sword-belt and my sword, and these 
The tong locks by its bright edge severed thus 
From on my brows. Give the King all, and say 
Siddartha prays forget him till he come 
Ten times a Prince, with royal wisdom won 
From lonely searchings and the strife for light ; 
Where, if I conquer, lo ! all earth is mine — 
Mine by chief service ! — tell him — mine by love I 
Since there is hope for man only in man, 
And none hath sought for this as I will seek, 
Who cast away my world to save my world." 



Book It)* iFiftf). 



Round Rajagriha 1 five fair hills arose, 
Guarding King Bimbsara's sylvan town: • 

Baibhara, 2 green with lemon-grass and palms; 
Bipulla, at whose foot thin Sarsuti 3 
Steals with warm ripple; shadowy Tapovan, 4 
Whose steaming pools mirror black rocks, which ooze 
Sovereign earth-butter 5 from their rugged roofs ; 
South-east the vulture-peak Sailagiri ; 6 
And eastward Ratnagiri, hill of gems. 
A winding track, paven with foot-worn slabs, 
Leads thee by safflower fields and bamboo tufts 
Under dark mangoes and the jujube-trees, 7 
Past milk-white veins of rock and jasper crags, 
Low cliff and flats of jungle-flowers, to where 
The shoulder of that mountain, sloping west, 
O'erhangs a cave with wild figs canopied. 
Lo ! thou who comest thither, bare thy feet 
And bow thy head ! for all this spacious earth 
Hath not a spot more dear and hallowed. Here 
Lord Buddha sate 8 the scorching summers through, 
The driving rains, the chilly dawns and eves ; 
Wearing for all men's sakes the yellow robe, 

80 



I "!! ..... 321 



BOOK THE FIFTH 



Si 



Eating in beggar's guise the scanty meal 

Chance-gathered from the charitable ; at night 

Couched on the grass, homeless, alone ; while yelped 

The sleepless jackals round his cave, or coughs 

Of famished tiger from the thicket broke. 

By day and night here dwelt the World-honored, 

Subduing that fair body born for bliss 

With fast and frequent watch and search intense 

Of silent meditation, so prolonged 

That ofttimes while he mused — as motionless 

As the fixed rock his seat — the squirrel leaped 

Upon his knee, the timid quail led forth 

Her brood between his feet, and blue doves pecked 

The rice-grains from the bowl beside his hand. 



Thus would he muse from noontide 9 — when the land 
Shimmered with heat, and walls and temples danced 
In the reeking air — till sunset, noting not 
The blazing globe roll down, nor evening glide, 
Purple and swift, across the softened fields ; 
Nor the still coming of the stars, nor throb 
Of drum-skins in the busy town, nor screech 
Of owl and night-jar ; wholly wrapt from self 
In keen unraveling of the threads of thought 
And steadfast pacing of life's labyrinths. 
Thus would he sit till midnight hushed the world, 
Save where the beasts of darkness in the brake 
Crept and cried out, as fear and hatred cry, 
As lust and avarice and anger creep 
In the black jungles of man's ignorance. 
Then slept he for what space the fleet moon asks 



82 



[E LIGHT Of 



To swim a tenth part of her cloudy sea; 
But rose ere the False-dawn, 10 and stood again 
Wistful on some dark platform of his hill, 
Watching the sleeping earth with ardent eyes 
And thoughts embracing all its living things, 
While o'er the waving fields that murmur move 
Which is the kiss of Morn waking the lands, 
And in the east that miracle of Day 
Gathered and grew. At first a dusk so dim 
Night seems still unaware of whispered dawn, 
But soon — before the jungle-cock crows twice — 
A white verge clear, a widening, brightening white, 
High as the herald-star, which fades in floods 
Of silver, warming into pale gold, caught 
By topmost clouds, and flaming on their rims 
To fervent golden glow, flushed from the brink 
With saffron, scarlet, crimson, amethyst ; 
Whereat the sky burns splendid to the blue, 
And, robed in raiment of glad light, the King 
Of Life and Glory cometh ! n 

Then our Lord, 
After the manner of a Rishi, hailed 
The rising orb, 12 and went — ablutions made — 
Down by the winding path unto the' town ; 
And in the fashion of a Rishi passec* 
From street to street, with -begging-bowl in hand, 
Gathering the little pittance of his needs. 
Soon was it filled, for all the townsmen cried, 
" Take of our store, great sir ! " and " Take of ours ! " 
Marking his godlike face and eyes enwrapt ; 
And mothers, when they saw our Lord go by, 



y_ 






BOOK THE FIFTH. St 



Would bid their children fall to kiss his feet, 

And lift his robe's hem to their brows, or run 

To fill his jar, and fetch him milk and cakes. 

And ofttimes as he paced, gentle and slow, 

Radiant with heavenly pity, lost in care 

For those he knew not, save as fellow-lives, 

The dark surprised eyes of some Indian maid 

Would dwell in sudden love and worship deep 

On that majestic form, as if she saw 

Her dreams of tenderest thought made true, and grace 

Fairer than mortal fire her breast. But he 

Passed onward with the bowl and yellow robe, 

By mild speech paying all those gifts of hearts, 

Wending his way back to the solitudes 

To sit upon his hill with holy men, 

And hear and ask of wisdom and its roads. 

Midway on Ratnagiri's groves of calm, 
Beyond the city, but below the caves, 
Lodged such as hold the body foe to soul, 
And flesh a beast which men must chain and tame 
With bitter pains, till sense of pain is killed, 
And tortured nerves vex torturer no more- 
Yogis 13 and Brahmacharis, 14 Bhikshus, 16 all 
A gaunt and mournful band, 16 dwelling apart. 
Some day and night had stood with lifted arms, 
Till — drained of blood and withered by disease — 
Their slowly-wasting joints and stiffened limbs 
Jutted from sapless shoulders like dead forks 
From forest trunks. Others had clinched their hands 
So long and with so fierce a fortitude, 



84 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

The claw-like nails grew through the festered palm. 

Some walked on sandals spiked ; some with sharp flints 

Gashed breast and brow and thigh, scarred these with fire, 

Threaded their flesh with jungle thorns and spits, 

Besmeared with mud and ashes, crouching foul 

In rags of dead men wrapped about their loins. 

Certain there were inhabited the spots 

Where death-pyres smouldered, cowering defiled 

With corpses for their company, and kites 

Screaming around them o'er the funeral-spoils : 

Certain who cried five hundred times a day 

The names of Shiva, wound with darting snakes 

About their sun-tanned necks and hollow flanks 

One palsied foot drawn up against the ham. 

So gathered they, a grievous company ; 

Crowns blistered by the blazing heat, eyes bleared, 

Sinews and muscles shriveled, visages 

Haggard and wan as slain men's, five days dead ; 

Here crouched one in the dust who noon by noon 

Meted a thousand grains of millet out, 

Ate it with famished patience, seed by seed, 

And so starved on ; there one who bruised his pulse 

With bitter leaves lest palate should be pleased ; 

And next, a miserable saint self-maimed, 

Eyeless and tongueless, sexless, crippled, deaf ; 

The body by the mind being thus stripped 

For glory of much suffering, and the bliss 

Which they shall win — say holy books — whose woe 

Shames gods that send us woe, and makes men gods 

Stronger to suffer than Hell is to harm. 



BOOK THE -FIFTH. 85 

Whom sadly eying spake our Lord to one, 
Chief of the woe-begones : " Much-suffering sir ! 
These many moons I dwell upon the hill — 
Who am a seeker of the Truth— and see 
My brothers here, and thee, so piteously 
Self-anguished ; wherefore add ye ills to life 
Which is so evil ? " 

Answer made the sage : 
" ' Tis written if a man shall mortify 
His flesh, till pain be grown the life he lives 
And death voluptuous rest, such woes shall purge 
Sin's dross away, and the soul, purified, 
Soar from the furnace of its sorrow, winged 
For glorious spheres and splendor past all thought." 

" Yon cloud which floats in heaven," the Prince replied, 
"Wreathed like gold cloth around your Indra's throne, 
Rose thither from the tempest-driven sea ; 
But it must fall again in tearful drops, 
Trickling through rough and painful water-ways 
By cleft and nullah and the muddy flood, 
To Gunga and the sea, wherefrom it sprang. 
Know'st thou, my brother, if it be not thus, 
After their many pains, with saints in bliss ? 
Since that which rises falls, and that which buys 
Is spent ; and if ye buy heav'n with your blood 
In hell's hard market, when the bargain's through 
The toil begins again ! " 

" It may begin," 
The hermit moaned. " Alas ! we know not this, 



86 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Nor surely anything • yet after night 
Day comes, and after turmoil peace, and we 
Hate this accursed flesh which clogs the soul 
That fain would rise ; so, for the sake of soul, 
We stake brief agonies in game with Gods 
To gain the larger joys." 

" Yet if they last 
A myriad years," he said, " they fade at length, 
Those joys ; or if not, is there then some life 
Below, above, beyond, so unlike life 
It will not change ? Speak ! do your Gods endure 
Forever, brothers ? " 

" Nay," the Yogis said, 
" Only great Brahm endures : the Gods but live." n 

Then spake Lord Buddha : " Will ye, being wise, 
As ye seem holy and strong-hearted ones, 
Throw these sore dice, which are your groans and moans, 
For gains which may be dreams, and must have en<S * 
Will ye, for love of soul, so loathe your flesh, 
So scourge and maim it, that it shall not serve 
To bear the spirit on, searching for home, 
But founder on the track before nightfall, 
Like willing steed o'er-spurred ? Will ye, sad sirs 
Dismantle and dismember this fair house, 
Where we have come to dwell by painful pasts ; 
Whose windows give us light — the little light — 
Whereby we gaze abroad to know if dawn 
Will break, and whither winds the better road ? " 



i 



BOOK THE FIFTH. 

Then cried they, " We hav* chosen this for road 
And tread it, Rajaputra, 18 till the close — 
Though all its stones were fire — in trust of death. 
Speak, if thou know'st a way more excellent ; 
If not, peace go with thee ! " 



87" 



Onward he passed, 
Exceeding sorrowful, seeing how men 
Fear so to die they are afraid to fear, 
lust so to live they dare not love their life, 
But plague it with fierce penances, belike 
To please the Gods who grudge pleasure to man ; 
Belike to balk hell by self-kindled hells ; 
Belike in holy madness, hoping soul 
May break the better through their wasted flesh. 
" Oh, florets of the field ! " Siddartha said, 
" Who turn your tender faces to the sun — 
Glad of the light, and grateful with sweet breath 
Of fragrance and these robes of reverence donned 
Silver and gold and purple — none of ye 
Miss perfect living, none of ye despoil 
Your happy beauty. Oh, ye palms ! which rise 
Eager to pierce the sky and drink the wind 
Blown from Malaya 19 and the cool blue seas, 
What secret know ye that ye grow content, 
From time of tender shoot to time of fruit, 
Murmuring such sun-songs from your feathered crowns : 
Ye, too, who dwell so merry in the trees — 
Quick-darting parrots, bee-birds, bulbuls, doves — 
None of ye hate your life, none of ye deem 
To strain to better by foregoing needs ! 



88 



THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 



But man, who slays ye — being lord — is wise, 
And wisdom, nursed on blood, cometh thus forth 
In self-tormentings ! " 

While the Master spake 
Blew down the mount the dust of pattering feet, 
White goats and black sheep winding slow their way, 
With many a lingering nibble at the tufts, 
And wanderings from the path, where water gleamed 
Or wild figs hung. But always as they strayed 
The herdsman cried, or slung his sling, and kept 
The silly crowd still moving to the plain. 
A ewe with couplets in the flock there was, 
Some hurt had lamed one lamb, which toiled behind 
Bleeding, while in the front its fellow skipped, 
And the vexed dam hither and thither ran, 
Fearful to lose this little one or that ; 
Which when our Lord did mark, full tenderly 
He took the limping lamb upon his neck, 
Saying, " Poor woolly mother, be at peace ! 
Whither thou goest I will bear thy care ; 
'Twere all as good to ease one beast of grief 
As sit and watch the sorrows of the world 
In yonder caverns with the priests who pray." 

" But," spake he to the herdsmen, " wherefore, friends 
Drive ye the flocks adown under high noon, 
Since 'tis at evening that men fold their sheep ? " 



And answer gave the peasants : " We are sent 
To fetch a sacrifice of goats five-score, 
And five-score sheep, the which our Lord the King 
Slayeth this night in worship of his gods." 



BOOK THE FIFTH. 89 

Then said the Master : " I will also go ! " 
So paced he patiently, bearing the lamb 
Beside the herdsmen in the dust and sun, 
The wistful ewe low bleating at his feet. 

Whom, when they came unto the river-side, 
A woman — dove-eyed, young, with tearful face 
And lifted hands — saluted, bending low : 
" Lord ! thou art he," she said, " who yesterday 
Had pity on me in the fig-grove here, 
Where I live lone and reared my child ; but he 
Straying amid the blossoms found a snake, 
Which twined about his wrist, whilst he did laugh 
And tease the quick forked tongue and opened mouth 
Of that cold playmate. But, alas ! ere long 
He turned so pale and still, I could not think 
Why he should cease to play, and let my breast 
Fall from his lips. And one said, ' He is sick 
Of poison ; ' and another, ' He will die.' 
But I, who could not iose my precious boy, 
Prayed of them physic, which might bring the light 
Back to his eyes ; it was so very small 
That kiss-mark of the serpent, and I think 
It could not hate him, gracious as he was, 
Nor hurt him in his sport. And some one said, 
' There is a holy man upon the hill — 
Lo ! now he passeth in the yellow robe — 
Ask of the Rishi if there be a cure 
For that which ails thy son.' Whereon I came 
Trembling to thee, whose brow is like a god's, 
And wept and drew the face-cloth from my babe, 



90 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Praying thee tell what simples might be good. 
And thou, great sir ! didst spurn me not, but gaze 
With gentle eyes and touch witn patient hand ; 
Then draw the face-cloth back, saying to me, 
' Yea ! little sister, there is that might heal 
Thee first, and him, if thou couldst fetch the thing ; 
For they who seek physicians bring to them 
What is ordained. Therefore, I pray thee, find 
Black mustard-seed, a tola ; 20 only mark 
Thou take it not from any hand or house 
Where father, mother, child, or slave hath died ; 
It shall be well if thou canst find such seed.' 
Thus didst thou speak, my Lord ! " 

The Master smiled 
Exceeding tenderly. " Yea ! I spake thus, 
Dear Kisagotami ! But didst thou find 
The seed ? " 

" I went, Lord, clasping to my breast 
The babe, grown colder, asking at each hut — 
Here in the jungle and towards the town — 
4 1 pray you, give me mustard, of your grace, 
A tola — black ; ' and each who had it gave, 
For all the poor are piteous to the poor ; 
But when I asked, ' In my friend's household here 
Hath any peradventure ever died — 
Husband, or wife, or child, or slave ? ' they said : 
' O Sister ! what is this you ask ? the dead 
Are very many, and the living few ! ' 
So with sad thanks I gave the mustard back, 
And prayed of others ; but the others said, 
* Here is the seed, but we have lost our slave ! ' 



BOOK THE FIFTH. 

; Here is the seed, but our good man is dead ! ' 
1 Here is some seed, but he that sowed it died 
Between the rain-time and the harvesting ! ' 
Ah, sir ! I could not find a single house 
Where there was mustard-seed and none had died ! 
Therefore I left my child — who would not suck 
Nor smile — beneath the wild-vines by the stream, 
To seek thy face and kiss thy feet, and pray 
Where I might find this seed and find no death, 
If now, indeed, my baby be not dead, 
As I do fear, and as they said to me." 



9i 



" My sister ! thou hast found," the Master said, 
" Searching for what none finds — that bitter balm 
I had to give thee. He thou lovedst slept 
Dead on thy bosom yesterday : to-day 
Thou know'st the whole wide world weeps with thy woe : 
The grief which all hearts share grows less for one. 
Lo ! I would pour my blood if it could stay 
Thy tears and win the secret of that curse 
Which makes sweet love our anguish, and which drives 
O'er flowers and pastures to the sacrifice — 
As these dumb beasts are driven — men their lords. 
I seek that secret : bury thou thy child ! " 

So entered they the city side by side, 
The herdsman and the Prince, what time the sun 
Gilded slow Sona's distant stream, 21 and threw 
Long shadows down the street and through the gate 
Where the King's men kept watch. But when these saw 
Our Lord bearing the lamb, the guards stood back, 



Q2 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

The market-people drew their wains aside, 

In the bazar buyers and sellers stayed 

The war of tongues to gaze on that mild face ; 

The smith, with lifted hammer in his hand, 

Forgot to strike ; the weaver left his web, 

The scribe his scroll, the money-changer lost 

His count of cowries ; 22 from the unwatched rice 

Shiva's white bull fed free ; 23 the wasted milk 

Ran o'er the lota 24 while the milkers watched 

The passage of our Lord moving so meek, 

With yet so beautiful a majesty. 

But most the women gathering in the doors 

Asked, " Who is this that brings the sacrifice 

So graceful and peace-giving as he goes ? 

What is his caste ? whence hath he eyes so sweet ? 

Can he be Sakra 25 or the Devaraj ? " 26 

And others said, " It is the holy man 

Who dwelleth with the Rishis on the hill." 

But the Lord paced, in meditation lost, 

Thinking, " Alas ! for all my sheep which have 

No shepherd ; wandering in the night with none 

To guide them ; bleating blindly towards the knife 

Of Death, as these dumb beasts which are their kin." 

Then some one told the King, " There cometh here 
A holy hermit, bringing down the flock 
Which thou didst bid to crown the sacrifice." 

The King stood in his hall of offering, 
On either hand the white-robed Brahmins ranged 
Muttered their mantras, 27 feeding still the fire 




BOOK THE FIFTH. 93 



Which roared upon the midmost altar. There 

From scented woods nickered bright tongues of flame, 

Hissing and curling as they licked the gifts 

Of ghee 28 and spices and the Soma juice, 29 

The joy of Indra. Round about the pile 

A slow, thick, scarlet streamlet smoked and ran, 

Sucked by the sand, but ever rolling down, 

The blood of bleating victims. One such lay, 

A spotted goat, long-horned, its head bound back 

With munja grass ; 30 at its stretched throat the knife 

Pressed by a priest, who murmured, " This, dread gods, 

Of many yajnas 31 cometh as the crown 

From Bimbsara : 32 take ye joy to see 

The spirted blood, and pleasure in the scent 

Of rich flesh roasting 'mid the fragrant flames ; 

Let the King's sins be laid upon this goat, 

And let the fire consume them burning it, 

For now I strike." 

But Buddha softly said, 33 
" Let him not strike, great King ! " and therewith loosed 
The victim's bonds, none staying him, so great 
His presence was. Then, craving leave, he spake 
Of life, which all can take but none can give, 
Life, which all creatures love and strive to keep, 
Wonderful, dear and pleasant unto each, 
Even to the meanest ; yea, a boon to all 
Where pity is, for pity makes the world 
Soft to the weak and noble for the strong. 
Unto the dumb lips of his flock he lent 
Sad pleading words, showing how man, who prays 
For mercy to the gods, is merciless. 



94 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Being as god to those ; albeit all life 

Is linked and kin, and what we slay have given 

Meek tribute of the milk and wool, and set 

Fast trust upon the hands which murder them. 

Also he spake of what the holy books 

Do surely teach, how that at death some sink 

To bird and beast, and these rise up to man 

In wanderings of the spark which grows purged flame. 

So were the sacrifice new sin, if so 

The fated passage of a soul be stayed. 

Nor, spake he, shall one wash his spirit clean 

By blood ; nor gladden gods, being good, with blood ; 

Nor bribe them, being evil ; nay, nor lay 

Upon the brow of innocent bound beasts 

One hair's weight of that answer all must give 

For all things done amiss or wrongfully, 

Alone, each for himself, reckoning with that 

The fixed arithmic of the universe, 

Which meteth good for good and ill for ill, 

Measure for measure, unto deeds, words, thoughts ; 

Watchful, aware, implacable, unmoved ; 

Making all futures fruits of all the pasts. 

Thus spake he, breathing words so piteous 

With such high lordliness of ruth and right, 

The priests drew back their garments o'er the hands 

Crimsoned with slaughter, and the King came near, 

Standing with clasped palms reverencing Buddh ; 

While still our Lord went on, teaching how fair 

This earth were if all living things be linked 

In friendliness and common use of foods, 

Bloodless and pure ; the golden grain, bright fruits, 



■■■p—— "— r: 



BOOK THE FIFTH. 95 

Sweet herbs which grow for all, the waters wan, 

Sufficient drinks and meats. Which when these heard, 

The might of gentleness so conquered them, 

The priests themselves scattered their altar flames 

And flung away the steel of sacrifice ; 

And through the land next day passed a decree 

Proclaimed by criers, and in this wise graved 

On rock and column : " Thus the King's will is ■:— 

There hath been slaughter for the sacrifice 

And slaying for the meat, but henceforth none 

Shall spill the blood of life nor taste of flesh, 

Seeing that knowledge grows, and life is one, 

And mercy cometh to the merciful." 

So ran the edict, and from those days forth 

Sweet peace hath spread between all living kind, 

Man and the beasts which serve him, and the biris, 

On all those banks of Gunga where our Lord 

Taught with his saintly pity and soft speech. 

For aye so piteous was the Master's heart 
To all that breathe this breath of fleeting life, 
Yoked in one fellowship of joys and pains, 
That it is written in the holy books 
How, in an ancient age — when Buddha wore 
A Brahmin's form, dwelling upon the rock 
Named Munda, by the village of Dalidd — 
Drought withered all the land : the young rice died 
Ere it could hide a quail ; in forest glades 
A fierce sun sucked the pools ; grasses and herbs 
Sickened, and all the woodland creatures fled 
Scattering for sustenance. At such a time, 



96 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Between the hot walls of a nullah, stretched 

On naked stones, our Lord spied, as he passed, 

A starving tigress. Hunger in her orbs 

Glared with green flame ; her dry tongue lolled a span 

Beyond the gasping jaws and shriveled jowl ; 

Her painted hide hung wrinkled on her ribs, 

As when between the rafters sinks a thatch 

Rotten with rains ; and at the poor lean dugs 

Two cubs, whining with famine, tugged and sucked, 

Mumbling those milkless teats which rendered nought; 

While she, their gaunt dam, licked full motherly 

The clamorous twins, yielding her flank to them 

With moaning throat, and love stronger than want, 

Softening the first of that wild cry wherewith 

She laid her famished muzzle to the sand 

And roared a savage thunder-peal of woe. 

Seeing which bitter strait, and heeding nought 

Save the immense compassion of a Buddh, 

Our Lord bethought, " There is no other way 

To help this murderess of the woods but one. 

By sunset these will die, having no meat : 

There is no living heart will pity her, 

Bloodv with ravin, lean for lack of blood. 

Lo ! if I feed her, who shall lose but I, 

And how can love lose doing of its kind 

Even to the uttermost ? " So saying, Buddh 

Silently laid aside sandals and staff, 

His sacred thread, 34 turban, and cloth, and came 

Forth from behind the milk-bush on the sand, 

Saying, " Ho ! mother, here is meat for thee ! " 

Whereat the perishing beast yelped hoarse and &imll, 






BOOK THE FIFTH. 97 

Sprang from her cubs, and, hurling to the earth 
That willing victim, had her feast of him 
With all the crooked daggers of her claws 
Rending his flesh, and all her yellow fangs 
Bathed in his blood : the great cat's burning breath 
Mixed with the last sigh of such fearless love. 

Thus large the Master's heart was long ago, 
Not only now, when with his gracious ruth 
He bade cease cruel worship of the Gcds. 
And much King Bimbsara prayed our Lord — 
Learning his royal birth and holy search — 
To tarry in that city, saying oft, 
" Thy princely state may not abide such fasts ; 
Thy hands were made for scepters, not for alms. 
Sojourn with me, who have no son to rule, 
And teach my kingdom wisdom, till I die, 
Lodged in my palace with a beauteous bride." 
But ever spake Siddartha, of set mind, 
"These things I had, most noble King, and left, 
Seeking the Truth ; which still I seek, and shall ; 
Not to be stayed though Sakra's 35 palace ope'd 
Its doors of pearl and Devis 36 wooed me in. 
I go to build the Kingdom of the Law, 
Journeying to Gaya and the forest shades, 
Where, as I think, the light will come to me ; 
For nowise here among the Rishis comes 
That light, nor from the Snasters, 37 nor from fasts 
Borne till the body faints, starved by the soul. 
Vet there is light to reach and truth to win ; 



98 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

And surely, O true Friend, if I attain 
I will return and quit thy love." 

Thereat 
Thrice round the Prince King Bimbsara paced, 
Reverently bending to the Master's feet, 
And bade him speed. So passed our Lord away 
Towards Uravilva, 38 not yet comforted, 
And wan of face, and weak with six years' quest. 
But they upon the hill and in the grove — 
Alara, Udra, and the ascetics five — 
Had stayed him, saying all was written clear 
In holy Shasters, and that none might win 
Higher than Sruti™ and than Smriti^ — nay, 
Not the chief saints ! — for how should mortal man 
Be wiser than the Jnana-Kand, 41 which tells 
How Brahm is bodiless and actionless, 
Passionless, calm, unqualified, unchanged, 
Pure life, pure thought, pure joy ? Or how should man 
Be better than the Karmma-Kand, 42 which shows 
How he may strip passion and action off, 
Break from the bond of self, and so, unsphered, 
Be God, and melt into the vast divine, 
Flying from false to true, from wars of sense 
To peace eternal, where the silence lives ? 

But the Prince heard them, not yet comforted. 



f 



Book \\\t %\rt\\. 



Thou who wouldst see where dawned the light at last, 

North-westwards from the " Thousand Gardens " ' go 

By Gunga's valley till thy steps be set 

On the green hills where those twin streamlets spring 

Nilajan and Mohana ; follow them, 

Winding beneath broad-leaved mahua-trees, 2 

'Mid thickets of the sansar 3 and the bir, 4 

Till on the plain the shining sisters meet 

In Phalgu's bed, flowing by rocky banks 

To Gaya and the red Barabar hills. 5 

Hard by that river spreads a thorny waste, 

Uruwela named in ancient days, 

With sandhills broken ; on its verge a wood 

Waves sea-green plumes and tassels 'thwart the sky, 

With undergrowth wherethrough a still flood steals, 

Dappled with lotus-blossoms, blue and white, 

And peopled with quick fish and tortoises. 

Near it the village of Senani 6 reared 

Its roofs of grass, nestled amid the palms, 

Peaceful with simple folk and pastoral toils. 

There in the sylvan solitudes once more 
Lord Buddha lived, musing the woes of men, 

99 



IOO THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

The ways of fate, the doctrines of the books, 
The lessons of the creatures of the brake, 
The secrets of the silence whence all come, 
The secrets of the gloom whereto all go, 
The life which lies between, like that arch flung 
From cloud to cloud across the sky, which hath 
Mists for its masonry and vapory piers, 
Melting to void again which was so fair 
With sapphire hues, garnet, and chrysoprase. 
Moon after moon our Lord sate in the wood, 
So meditating these that he forgot 
Ofttimes the hour of food, rising from thoughts 
Prolonged beyond the sunrise and the noon 
To see his bowl unfilled, and eat perforce 
Of wild fruit fallen from the boughs o'erhead, 
Shaken to earth by chattering ape or plucked 
By purple paroquet. Therefore his grace 
Faded ; his body, worn by stress of soul, 
Lost day by day the marks, thirty and two,' 
Which testify the Buddha. Scarce that leaf, 
Fluttering so dry and withered to his feet 
From off the sal-branch, 8 bore less likeliness 
Of spring's soft greenery than he of him 
Who was the princely flower of all his land. 

And once at such a time the o'erwrought Prince 
Fell to the earth in deadly swoon, all spent, 
Even as one slain, who hath no longer breath 
Nor any stir of blood ; so wan he was, 
So motionless. But there came by that way 
A shepherd-boy, who saw Siddartha lie 



BOOK THE SIXTH. 

With lids fast-closed, and lines of nameless pain 

Fixed on his lips — the fiery noonday sun 

Beating upon his head — who, plucking boughs 

From wild rose-apple trees, knitted them thick 

Into a bower to shade the sacred face. 

Also he poured upon the Master's lips 

Drops of warm milk, pressed from his she-goat's bag, 

Lest, being of low caste, he do wrong to one 

So high and holy seeming. But the books 

Tell how the jambu-branches, 9 planted thus, 

Shot with quick life in wealth of leaf and flower 

And glowing fruitage interlaced and close, 

So that the bower grew like a tent of silk 

Pitched for a king at hunting, decked with studs 

Of silver-work and bosses of red gold 

And the boy worshiped, deeming him some God ; 

But our Lord gaining breath, arose and asked 

Milk in the shepherd's lota. 10 " Ah, my Lord, 

I cannot give thee," quoth the lad ; " thou seest 

I am a Sudra, and my touch defiles ! " u 

Then the World-honored spake : " Pity and need 

Make all flesh kin. There is no caste in blood, 

Which runneth of one hue, nor caste in tears, 

Which trickle salt with all ; neither comes man 

To birth with tilka-mark 12 stamped on the brow, 

Nor sacred thread on neck. Who doth right deeds 

Is twice-born, and who doeth ill deeds vile. 

Give me to drink, my brother ; when I come 

Unto my quest it shall be good for thee." 

Thereat the peasant's heart was glad, and gave. 



102 



THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 



And on another day there passed that road 
A band of tinseled girls, the nautch-dancers 
Of Indra's temple 13 in the town, with those 
Who made their music — one that beat a drum 
Set round with peacock-feathers, one that blew 
The piping bansulf, 14 and one that twitched 
A three-string sitar. 15 Lightly tripped they down 
From ledge to ledge and through the chequered paths 
To some gay festival, the silver bells 
Chiming soft peals about the small brown feet, 
Armlets and wrist-rings tattling answer shrill ; 
While he that bore the sitar thrummed and twanged 
His threads of brass, and she beside him sang — 

" Fair goes the dancing when the sitdr* s tuned j 
Tune us the sitdr neither low nor high, 
And we will dance away the hearts of men. 

The string o'erstretched breaks, and the music flies ; 
The string o'er slack is dumb, and music dies j 
Tune us the sitdr neither low nor high.*' 



So sang the nautch-girl to the pipe and wires, 
Fluttering like some vain, painted butterfly 
From glade to glade along the forest path, 
Nor dreamed her light words echoed on the ear 
Of him, that holy man, who sate so rapt 
Under the fig-tree by the path. But Buddh 
Lifted his great brow as the wantons passed, 
And spake : " The foolish ofttimes teach the wise ; 
I strain too much this string of life, belike, 



BOOK THE SIXTH. 03 

Meaning to make such music as shall save. 
Mine eyes are dim now that they see the truth, 
My strength is waned now that my need is most ; 
Would that I had such help as man must have, 
For I shall die, whose life was all men's hope." 

Now, by that river dwelt a landholder 
Pious and rich, master of many herds, 
A goodly chief, the friend of all the poor ; 
And from his house the village drew its name — 
" Senani."^ Pleasant and in peace he lived, 
Having for wife Sujata, 17 loveliest 
Of all the dark-eyed daughters of the plain ; 
Gentle and true, simple and kind was she, 
Noble of mien, with gracious speech to all 
And gladsome looks — a pearl of womanhood — 
Passing calm years of household happiness 
Beside her lord in that still Indian home, 
Save that no male child blessed their wedded love. 
Wherefore with many prayers she had besought 18 
Lakshmi ; 19 and many nights at full-moon gone 
Round the great Lin gam, 20 nine times nine, with gifts 
Of rice and jasmine wreaths and sandal oil, 
Praying a boy ; also Sujata vowed — 
If this should be — an offering of food 
Unto the Wood-God, plenteous, delicate, 
Set in a bowl of gold under his tree, 
Such as the lips of Devs 21 may taste and take. 
And this had been : for there was born to her 
A beauteous boy, now three months old, who lay 
Between Sujata's breasts, while she did pace 



104 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

With grateful footsteps to the Wood-God's shrine, 
One arm clasping her crimson sari 22 close 
To wrap the babe, that jewel of her joys, 
The other lifted high in comely curve 
To steady on her head the bowl and dish 
Which held the dainty victuals for the God. 

But Radha, sent before to sweep the ground 
And tie the scarlet threads around the tree, 23 
Came eager, crying, "Ah, dear Mistress ! look ! 
There is the Wood-God sitting in his place, 
Revealed, with folded hands upon his knees. 
See how the light shines round about his brow ! 
Plow mild and great he seems, with heavenly eyes ! 
Good fortune is it thus to meet the gods." 

So — thinking him divine, — Sujata drew 
Tremblingly nigh, and kissed the earth and said, 
With sweet face bent, " Would that the Holy One 
Inhabiting this grove, Giver of good 
Merciful unto me his handmaiden 
Vouchsafing now his presence, might accept 
These our poor gifts of snowy curds, fresh-made, 
With milk as white as new- carved ivory ! " 

Therewith into the golden bowl she poured 
The curds and milk, and on the hands of Buddh 
Dropped attar from a crystal flask — distilled 
Out of the hearts of roses : and he ate, 
Speaking no word, while the glad mother stood 
In reverence apart. But of that meal 



BOOK THE SIXTH. 105 

So wondrous was the virtue that our Lord 
Felt strength and life return as though the nights 
Of watching and the days of fast had passed 
In dream, as though the spirit with the flesh 
Shared that fine meat and plumed its wings anew, 
Like some delighted bird at sudden streams 
Weary with flight o'er endless wastes of sand, 
Which laves the desert dust from neck and crest. 
And more Sujata worshiped, seeing our Lord 
Grow fairer and his countenance more bright : 
"Art thou indeed the God ? " she lowly asked, 
" And hath my gift found favor ? " 

But Buddh said, 
" What is it thou dost bring me ? " 

" Holv one ! " 

j 

Answered Sujata, " from our droves I took 
Milk of a hundred mothers, newly-calved, 
And with that milk I fed fifty white cows, 
And with their milk twenty and five, and then 
With theirs twelve more, and yet again with theirs 
The six noblest and best of all our herds. 
That yield I boiled with sandal and fine spice 
In silver lotas, 24 adding rice, well grown 
From chosen seed, set in new-broken ground, 
So picked that every grain was like a pearl. 
This did I of true heart, because I vowed 
Under thy tree, if I should bear a boy 
I would make offering for my joy, and now 
I have my son and all my life is bliss ! " 

Softly our Lord drew down the crimson fold, 
And, laying on the little head those hands 



106 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Which help the worlds, he said, "Long be thy bliss ! 

And lightly fall on him the load of life ! 

For thou hast holpen me who am no God, 

But one, thy Brother ; heretofore a Prince 

And now a wanderer, seeking night and day 

These six hard years that light which somewhere shines 

To lighten all men's darkness, if they knew ! 

And I shall find the light ; yea, now it dawned 

Glorious and helpful, when my weak flesh failed 

Which this pure food, fair Sister, hath restored, 

Drawn manifold through lives to quicken life 

As life itself passes by many births 

To happier heights and purging off of sins. 

Yet dost thou truly find it sweet enough 

Only to live ? Can life and love suffice ? " 

Answered Sujata, "Worshipful ! my heart 
ts little, and a little rain will fill 
The lily's cup which hardly moists the field. 
It is enough for me to feel life's sun 
Shine in my Lord's grace and my baby's smile, 
Making the loving summer of our home. 
Pleasant my days pass filled with household cares 
From sunrise when I wake to praise the gods, 
And give forth grain, and trim the tulsi-plant, 25 
And set my handmaids to their tasks, till noon, 
When my Lord lays his head upon my lap 
Lulled by soft songs and wavings of the fan ; 
And so to supper-time at quiet eve, 
When by his side I stand and serve the cakes. 2 * 
Then the stars light their silver lamps for sleep, 






BOOK THE SIXTH. 107 

After the temple and the talk with friends. 
How should I not be happy, blest so much, 
And bearing him this boy whose tiny hand 
Shall lead his soul to Swerga, 27 if it need ? 
For holy books teach when a man shall plant 
Trees for the travelers' shade, and dig a well 
For the folks' comfort, and beget a son, 
It shall be good for such after their death ; 
And what the books say that I humbly take, 
Being not wiser than those great of old 
Who spake with gods, and knew the hymns and charms, 
And all the ways of virtue and of peace. 
Also I think that good must come of good 
And ill of evil — surely — unto all — 
In every place and time — seeing sweet fruit 
Groweth from wholesome roots, and bitter things 
From poison-stocks ; yea, seeing, too, how spite 
Breeds hate, and kindness friends, and patience peace 
Even while we live ; and when 'tis willed we die 
Shall there not be as good a ' Then ' as ' Now ? ' 
Haply much better ; since one grain of rice 
Shoots a green feather gemmed with fifty pearls, 
And all the starry champak's 28 white and gold 
Lurks in those little, naked, gray spring-buds. 
Ah, Sir ! I know there might be woes to bear 
Would lay fond Patience with her face in dust ; 
If this my babe pass first I think my heart 
W T ould break — almost I hope my heart would break ! 
That I might clasp him dead and wait my Lord — 
In whatsoever world holds faithful wives- 
Duteous, attending till his hour should come. 



Io8 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

But if Death called Senani, I should mount 

The pile and lay that dear head in my lap, 29 

My daily way, rejoicing when the torch • 

Lit the quick flame and rolled the choking smoke. 

For it is written if an Indian wife 

Die so, her love shall give her husband's soul 

For every hair upon her head a cror 30 

Of years in Swerga. Therefore fear I not. 

And therefore, Holy Sir ! my life is glad, 

Nowise forgetting yet those other lives 

Painful and poor, wicked and miserable, 

Whereon the gods grant pity ! but for m° 

What good I see humbly I seek to do, 

And live obedient to the law, in trust 

That what will come, and must come, shall come well.' 

Then spake our Lord, " Thou teachest them who teach, 
Wiser than wisdom in thy simple lore. 
Be thou content to know not, knowing thus 
The way of right and duty : grow, thou flower ! 
With thy sweet kind in peaceful shade — the light 
Of Truth's high noon is not for tender leaves 
Which must spread broad in other suns and lift 
In later lives a crowned head to the sky. 
Thou who hast worshiped me, I worship thee ! 
Excellent heart ! learned unknowingly, 
As the dove is which flieth home by love. 
In thee is seen why there is hope for man 
And where we hold the wheel of life at will. 
Peace go with thee, and comfort all thy days ! 
As thou accomplishest, may I achieve ! 
He whom thou thoughtest God bids thee wish this." 



BOOK THE SIXTH. IO9 

" May'st thou achieve," she said, with earnest eyes 
Bent on her babe, who reached its tender hands 
To Buddh — knowing, belike, as children know, 
More than we deem, and reverencing our Lord ; 
But he arose — made strong with that pure meat — 
And bent his footsteps where a great Tree grew, 
The Bodhi-tree 31 (thenceforward in all years 
Never to fade, and ever to be kept 
In homage of the world), beneath whose leaves 
It was ordained that Truth should come to Buddh : 
Which now the Master knew ; wherefore he went 
With measured pace, steadfast, majestical, 
Unto the Tree of Wisdom. Oh, ye Worlds ! 
Rejoice ! our Lord wended unto the Tree ! 

Whom — as he passed into its ample shade, 
Cloistered with columned dropping stems, and roofed 
W T ith vaults of glistening green — the conscious earth 
Worshiped with waving grass and sudden flush 
Of flowers about his feet. The forest-boughs 
Bent down to shade him ; from the river sighed 
Cool wafts of wind laden with lotus-scents 
Breathed by the water-gods. Large wondering eyes 
Of woodland creatures — panther, boar, and deer — 
At peace that eve, gazed on his face benign 
From cave and thicket. From its cold cleft wound 
The mottled deadly snake, dancing its hood 
In honor of our Lord ; bright butterflies 
Fluttered their vans, azure and green and gold. 
To be his fan-bearers ; the fierce kite dropped 
Its prey and screamed ; the striped palm-squirrel raced 



IIO THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

From stem to stem to see ; the weaver-bird 
Chirped from her swinging nest ; the lizard ran ; 
The koil 32 sang her hymn ; the doves flocked round ; 
Even the creeping things were 'ware and glad. 
Voices of earth and air joined in one song, 33 
Which unto ears that hear said, " Lord and Friend ! 
Lover and Savior ! Thou who hast subdued 
Angers and prides, desires and fears and doubts, 
Thou that for each and all hast given thyself, 
Pass to the Tree ! The sad world blesseth thee 
Who art the Buddh that shall assuage her woes. 
Pass, Hailed and Honored ! strive thy last for us, 
King and high Conqueror ! thine hour is come ; 
This is the Night the ages waited for ! " 

Then fell the night even as our Master sate 
Under that Tree. But he who is the Prince 
Of Darkness, Mara 34 — knowing this was Buddh 
Who should deliver men, and now the hour 
When he should find the Truth and save the worlds — 
Gave unto all his evil powers command. 
Wherefore there trooped from every deepest pit 
The fiends who war with Wisdom and the Light, 
Arati, 35 Trishna, 36 Raga, 37 and their crew 
Of passions, horrors, ignorances, lusts, 
The brood of gloom and dread ; all hating Buddh, 
Seeking to shake his mind ; nor knoweth one, 
Not even the wisest, how those'fiends of Hell 
Battled that night to keep the Truth from Buddh : 
Sometimes with terrors of the tempest, blasts 
Of demon-armies clouding all the wind, 



BOOK THE SIXTH. Ill 

With thunder, and with blinding lightning flung 

In jagged javelins of purple wrath 

From splitting skies ; sometimes with wiles and words 

Fair-sounding, 'mid hushed leaves and softened airs 

From shapes of witching beauty; wanton songs, 

Whispers of love ; sometimes with royal allures 

Of proffered rule ; sometimes with mocking doubts, 

Making truth vain. But whether these befell 

Without and visible, or whether Buddh 

Strove with fell spirits in his inmost heart, 

Judge ye : — I write what ancient books have writ. 

The ten chief Sins came — Mara's mighty ones, 
Angels of evil — Attavada first, 
The Sin of Self, who in the Universe 
As in a mirror sees her fond face shown, 
And crying " I " would have the world say " I," 
And all things perish so if she endure. 
" If thou be'st Buddh," she said, " let others grope 
Lightless ; it is enough that thou art Thou 
Changelessly ; rise and take the bliss of gods 
Who change not, heed not, strive not." But Buddh spake. 
" The right in thee is base,, the wrong a curse ; 
Cheat such as love themselves." Then came wan Doubt 
He that denies — the mocking Sin — and this 
Hissed in the Master's ear, " All things'are shows, 
And vain the knowledge of their vanity ; 
Thou dost but chase the shadow of thyself ; 
Rise and go hence, there is no better way 
Than patient scorn, nor any help for man, 
Nor any staying of his whirling wheel." 



112 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

But quoth our Lord, " Thou hast no part with me, 

False Visikitcha, subtlest of man's foes." 

And third came she who gives dark creeds their power, 

Silabbat-paramasa, sorceress, 

Draped fair in many lands as lowly Faith, 

But ever juggling souls with rites and prayers ; 

The keeper of those keys which lock up Hells 

And open Heavens. " Wilt thou dare," she said, 

" Put by our sacred books, dethrone our gods, 

Unpeople all the temples, shaking down 

That law which feeds the priests and props the realms ? " 

But Buddha answered, "What thou bidd'st me keeo 

Is form which passes, but the free Truth stands ; 

Get thee unto thy darkness." Next there drew 

Gallantly nigh a braver Tempter, he, 

Kama, 38 the King of passions, who hath sway 

Over the gods themselves, Lord of all loves, 

Ruler of Pleasure's realm. Laughing he came 

Unto the Tree, bearing his bow of gold 

Wreathed with red blooms, and arrows of desire 

Pointed with five-tongued delicate flame which stings 

The heart it smites sharper than poisoned barb : 

And round him came into that lonely place 

Bands of bright shapes with heavenly eyes and lips 

Singing in lovely words the praise of Love 

To music of invisible sweet cords, 

So witching, that it seemed the night stood still 

To hear them, and the listening stars and moon 

Paused in their orbits while these hymned to Buddh 

Of lost delights, and how a mortal man 

Findeth nought dearer in the three wide worlds 



BOOK THE SIXTH. II3 

"han are the yielded loving fragrant breasts 
Of Beauty and the rosy breast-blossoms, 
Love's rubies ; nay, and toucheth nought more high 
Than is that dulcet harmony of form 
Seen in the lines and charms of loveliness 
Unspeakable, yet speaking, soul to soul, 
Owned by the bounding blood, worshiped by will 
Which leaps to seize it, knowing this is best, 
This the true heaven where mortals are like gods, 
Makers and Masters, this the gift of gifts 
Ever renewed and worth a thousand woes. 
For who hath grieved when soft arms shut him safe, 
And all life melted to a happy sigh, 
And all the world was given in one warm kiss ? 
So sang they with soft float of beckoning hands, 
Eyes lighted with love-flames, alluring smiles ; 
In dainty dance their supple sides and limbs 
Revealing and concealing like burst buds 
Which tell their color, but hide yet their hearts. 
Never so matchless grace delighted eye 
As troop by troop these midnight-dancers swept 
Nearer the Tree, each daintier than the last, 
.Murmuring " O great Siddartha ! I am thine, 
Taste of my mouth and see if youth is sweet ! " 
Also, when nothing moved our Master's mind, 
Lo ! Kama waved his magic bow, and lo ! 
The band of dancers opened, and a shape 
Fairest and stateliest of the throng came forth 
Wearing the guise of sweet Yasodhara. 
Tender the passion of those dark eyes seemed 
Brimming with tears ; yearning those outspread arms 



114 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Opened towards him ; musical that moan 

Wherewith the beauteous shadow named his name, 

Sighing "'My Prince ! I die for lack of thee ! 

What heaven hast thou found like that we knew 

By bright Rohini in the Pleasure-house, 

Where all these weary years I weep for thee ? 

Return, Siddartha ! ah ! return. But touch 

My lips again, but let me to thy breast 

Once, and these fruitless dreams will end ! Ah, look ! 

Am I not she thou lovedst ? " But Buddh said, 

" For that sweet sake of her thou playest thus, 

Fair and false Shadow ! is thy playing vain ; 

I curse thee not who wear'st a form so dear, 

Yet as thou art so are all earthly shows. 

Melt to thy void again ! " Thereat a cry 

Thrilled through the grove, and all that comely rout 

Faded with flickering wafts of flame, and trail 

Of vaporous robes. 

Next under darkening skies 
And noise of rising storm came fiercer Sins, 
The rearmost of the Ten ; Patigha — Hate — 
With serpents coiled about her waist, which suck 
Poisonous milk from both her hanging dugs, 
And with her curses mix their angry hiss. 
Little wrought she upon that Holy One 
Who with his calm eyes dumbed her bitter lips 
And made her black snakes writhe to hide their fangs. 
Then followed Ruparaga — Lust of days — 
That sensual Sin which out of greed for life 
Forgets to live ; and next him Lust of Fame, 
Nobler Aruparaga, she whose spell 



BOOK THE SIXTH. , I15 

Beguiles the wise, mother of daring deeds, 

Battles and toils. And haughty Mano came, 

The Fiend of Pride ; and smooth Self- Righteousness, 

Uddhachcha ; and — with many a hideous band 

Of vile and formless things, which crept and flapped 

Toad-like and bat-like — Ignorance, the Dam 

Of Fear and Wrong, Avidya, hideous hag, 

Whose footsteps left the midnight darker, while 

The rooted mountains shook, the wild winds howled, 

The broken clouds shed from their caverns streams 

Of levin-lighted rain ; stars shot from heaven, 

The solid earth shuddered as if one laid 

Flame to her gaping wounds ; the torn black air 

Was full of whistling winds, of screams and yells, 

Of evil faces peering, of vast fronts 

Terrible and majestic, Lords of Hell 

Who from a thousand Limbos led their troops 

To tempt the Master. 

But Buddh heeded not, 
Sitting serene, with perfect virtue walled 
As is a stronghold by its gates and ramps ; 
Also the Sacred Tree — the Bodhi-tree — 
Amid that tumult stirred not, but each leaf 
Glistened as still as when on moonlit eves 
No zephyr spills the glittering gems of dew ; 
For all this clamor raged outside the shade 
Spread by those cloistered stems : 

In the third watch, 
The earth being still, the hellish legions fled, 
A soft air breathing from the sinking moon. 
Our Lord attained Samma Sambuddh j 39 he saw 



116 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

By light which shines beyond our mortal ken 

The line of all his lives in all the worlds, 

Far back and farther back and farthest yet, 

Five hundred lives and fifty. Even as one, 

At rest upon a mountain-summit, marks 

His path wind up by precipice and crag, 

Past thick-set woods shrunk to a patch ; through bogs 

Glittering false-green ; down hollows where he toiled 

Breathless ; on dizzy ridges where his feet 

Had well-nigh slipped ; beyond the sunny lawns, 

The cataract and the cavern and the pool, 

Backward to those dim flats wherefrom he sprang 

To reach the blue ; thus Buddha did behold 

Life's upward steps long-linked, from levels low 

Where breath is base, to higher slopes and higher 

Whereon the ten great Virtues 40 wait to lead 

The climber skyward. Also, Buddha saw 

How new life reaps what the old life did sow : 

How where its march breaks off its march begins ; 

Holding the gain and answering for the loss ; 

And how in each life good begets more good, 

Evil fresh evil ; Death but casting up 

Debit or credit, whereupon th' account 

In merits or demerits stamps itself 

By sure arithmic — where no tittle drops — 

Certain and just, on some new-springing life ; 

Wherein are packed and scored past thoughts and deeds, 

Strivings and triumphs, memories and marks 

Of lives foregone : 

And in the middle watch 
Our Lord attained Abhidjna^ — insight vast 




BOOK THE SIXTH. 117 

anging beyond this sphere to spheres unnamed, 
System on system, countless worlds and suns 
Moving in splendid measures, band by band 
Linked in division, one yet separate, 
The silver islands of a sapphire sea 
Shoreless, unfathomed, undiminished, stirred 
With waves which roll in restless tides of change. 
He saw those Lords of Light who hold their worlds 
By bonds invisible, how they themselves 
Circle obedient round mightier orbs 
Which serve profounder splendors, star to star 
Flashing the ceaseless radiance of life 
From centers ever shifting unto cirques 
Knowing no uttermost. These he beheld 
With unsealed vision, and of all those worlds, 
Cycle on epicycle, all their tale 
Of Kalpas, Maha-kalpas 42 — terms of time 
Which no man grasps, yea, though he knew to count 
The drops in Gunga from her springs to the sea, 
jMeasureless unto speech — whereby these wax 
I And wane ; whereby each of this heavenly host 
Fulfills its shining life and darkling dies. 
Sakwal by Sakwal, 43 depths and heights he passed 
Transported through the blue infinitudes, 
1 Marking — behind all modes, above all spheres, 
Beyond the burning impulse of each orb — 
That fixed decree at silent work which wills 
■ Evolve the dark to light, the dead to life, 
To fullness* void, to form the yet unformed, 
Good unto better, better unto best, 
By wordless edict ; having none to bid, 






Il8 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

None to forbid ; for this is past all gods 

Immutable, unspeakable, supreme, 

A Power which builds, unbuilds, and builds again, 

Ruling all things accordant to the rule 

Of virtue, which is beauty, truth, and use. 

So that all things do well which serve the Power, 

And ill which hinder ; nay, the worm does well 

Obedient to its kind ; the hawk does well 

Which carries bleeding quarries to its young ; 

The dewdrop and the star shine sisterly, 

Globing together in the common work ; 

And man who lives to die, dies to live well 

So if he guide his ways by blamelessness 

And earnest will to hinder not but help 

All things both great and small which suffer life. 

These did our Lord see in the middle watch. 

But when the fourth watch came the secret came 
Of Sorrow, which with evil mars the law, 
As damp and dross hold back the goldsmith's fire. 
Then was the Dukha-satya 44 opened him 
First of the " Noble Truths ; " 45 how Sorrow is 
Shadow to life, moving where life doth move ; 
Not to be laid aside until one lays 
Living aside, with all its changing states, 
Birth, growth, decay, love, hatred, pleasure, pain, 
Being and doing. How that none strips off 
These sad delights and pleasant griefs who lacks 
Knowledge to know them snares ; but he who knows 
Avidya — Delusion — sets those snares, 
Loves life no longer but ensues escape. 



BOOK THE SIXTH. 119 

The eyes of such a one are wide, he sees 

Delusion breeds Sankbara, Tendency 

Perverse : Tendency Energy — Vidnnan — 

Whereby comes Namarupa, local form 

And name and bodiment, bringing the man 

With senses naked to the sensible, 

A helpless mirror of all shows which pass 

Across his heart ; and so Vedana grows — 

" Sense-life " — false in its gladness, fell in sadness, 

But sad or glad, the Mother of Desire, 

Trishna, that thirst which makes the living drink 

Deeper and deeper of the false salt waves 

Whereon they float, pleasures, ambitions, wealth, 

Praise, fame, or domination, conquest, love ; 

Rich meats and robes, and fair abodes, and pride 

Of ancient lines, and lust of days, and strife 

To live, and sins that flow from strife, some sweet, 

Some bitter. Thus Life's thirst quenches itself 

With draughts which double thirst, but who is wise 

Tears from his soul this Trishna, feeds his sense 

No longer on false shows, files his firm mind 

To seek not, strive not, wrong not ; bearing meek 

All ills which flow from foregone wrongfulness, 

And so constraining passions that they die 

Famished ; till all the sum of ended life — 

The Karma® — all that total of a soul 

Which is the things it did, the thoughts it had, 

The " Self " it wove — with woof of viewless time, 

Crossed on the warp invisible of acts — - 

The outcome of him on the Universe, 

Grows pure and sinless ; either never more 



f20 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Needing to find a body and a place, 
Or so informing what fresh frame it takes 
In new existence that the new toils prove 
Lighter and lighter not to be at all, 
■ Thus." finishing the Path ; " free from Earth's cheats ; 
Released from all the skandhas 47 of the flesh ; 
Broken from ties — from Upadans 48 — saved 
From whirling on the wheel ; aroused and sane 
As is a man wakened from hateful dreams. 
Until — greater than Kings, than Gods more glad ! — 
The aching craze to live ends, and life glides — 
Lifeless — to nameless quiet, nameless joy, 
Blessed nirvana 49 — sinless, stirless rest — 
That change which never changes ! 

Lo ! the Dawn 
Sprang with Buddh's Victory ! lo ! in the East 
Flamed the first fires of beauteous day, poured forth 
Through fleeting folds of Night's black drapery. 
High in the widening blue the herald-star 
Faded to paler silver as there shot 
Brighter and brightest bars of rosy gleam 
Across the gray. Far off the shadowy hills 
Saw the great Sun, before the world was 'ware, 
And donned their crowns of crimson ; flower by flower 
Felt the warm breath of Morn and 'gan t' unfold 
Their tender lids. Over the spangled grass 
Swept the swift footsteps of the lovely Light, 
Turning the tears of Night to joyous gems, 
Decking the earth with radiance, 'broidering 
The sinking storm-clouds with a golden fringe, 



BOOK THE SIXTH. 121 

Gilding the feathers of the palms, which waved 

Glad salutation ; darting beams of gold 

Into the glades ; touching with magic wand 

The stream to rippled ruby ; in the brake 

Finding the mild eyes of the antelopes 

And saying " it is day ; " in nested sleep 

Touching the small heads under many a wing 

And whispering, "Children, praise the light of day ! " 

Whereat there piped anthems of all the birds, 

The Koil's 50 fluted song, the Bulbul's 51 hymn, 

The " morning, morning " of the painted thrush, 

The twitter of the sun-birds starting forth 

To find the honey ere the bees be out, 

The gray crow's caw, the parrot's scream, the strokes 

Of the green hammersmith, the myna's 52 chirp, 

The never finished love-talk of the doves : 

Yea ! and so holy was the influence 

Of that high Dawn which came with victory 

That, far and near, in homes of men there spread 

An unknown peace. The slayer hid his knife ; 

The robber laid his plunder back ; the shroff 

Counted full tale of coins ; all evil hearts 

Grew gentle, kind hearts gentler, as the balm 

Of that divinest Daybreak lightened Earth. 

Kings at fierce war called truce ; the sick men leaped 

Laughing from beds of pain ; the dying smiled 

As though they knew that happy Morn was sprung 

From fountains farther than the utmost East ; 

And o'er the heart of sad Yasodhara, 

Sitting forlorn at Prince Siddartha's bed, 

Came sudden bliss, as if love should not fail 



122 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Nor such vast sorrow miss to end in joy. 
So glad the World was — though it wist not why — 
That over desolate wastes went swooning songs 
Of mirth, the voice of bodiless Prets 53 and Bhuts 64 
Foreseeing Buddh ; and Devas in the air 
Cried " It is finished, finished ! " and the priests 
Stood with the wondering people in the streets 
Watching those golden splendors flood the sky 
And saying " There hath happed some mighty thing." 
Also in Ran 55 and Jungle 56 grew that day 
Friendship amongst the creatures ; spotted deer 
Browsed fearless where the tigress fed her cubs, 
And cheetahs 57 lapped the pool beside the buck? J 
Under the eagle's rock the brown hares scoured 
While his fierce beak but preened an idle wing ; 
The snake sunned all his jewels in the beam 
With deadly fangs in sheath ; the shrike let pass 
The nestling-finch ; the emerald halcyons 
Sate dreaming while the fishes played beneath, 
Nor hawked the merops, though the butterflies — 
Crimson and blue and amber — flitted thick 
Around his perch ; the Spirit of our Lord 
Lay potent upon man and bird and beast, 
Even while he mused under that Bodhi-tree, 58 
Glorified with the Conquest gained for all 
And lightened by a Light greater than Day's. 

Then ne arose — radiant, rejoicing, strong — 
Beneath the Tree, and lifting high his voice 
Spake this, in hearing of all Times and Worlds : — 



BOOK THE SIXTH. 1 23 

A nikajdtisangsdra?ig 
Sandhdwissa?ig anibhisang 
Gahakdrakangawesanto 
Dukkhdjdtipunappunang. 

Gahakdrakadithdsi ; 
Punagehang nakdhasi ; 
Sabhdtephdsukhdbhaggdy 
Gahakutangwisang khitang j 
Wisangkhdragatang chittang j 
Janhdnangkhayamajhdgd. 

Many a House of Life 
Hath held me — seeking ever him who wrought 
These prisons of the senses, sorrow-fraught ; 

Sore was my ceaseless strife ! 

But now, 
Thou Builder of this Tabernacle — Thou ! 
I know Thee ! Never shalt thou build again 

These walls of pain, 
Nor raise the roof-tree of deceits, nor lay 

Fresh rafters on the clay ; 
Broken thy house is, and the ridge-pole split ! 

Delusion fashioned it ! 
Safe pass I thence — deliverance to obtain. 59 



Book ttje 0n>£tUi). 



Sorrowful dwelt the King Suddhodana 
All those long years. among the Sakya Lords 
Lacking the speech and presence of his Son ; 
Sorrowful sate the sweet Yasbdhara 
All those long years, knowing no joy of life, 
Widowed of him her living Liege and Prince 
And ever, on the news of some recluse 
Seen far away by pasturing camel-men 
Or traders treading devious paths for gain, 
Messengers from the King had gone and come 
Bringing account of many a holy sage 
Lonely and lost to home ; but nought of him 
The crown of white Kapilavastu's line, 
The glory of her monarch and his hope, 
The heart's content of sweet Yasodhara, 
Far-wandered now, forgetful, changed, or dead. 

But on a day in the Wasanta-time, 1 

When silver sprays swing on the mango-trees 

And all the earth is clad with garb of spring, 

The Princess sate by that bright garden-stream 

Whose gliding glass, bordered with lotus-cups, 

124 



BOOK THE SEVENTH. 1 25 

Mirrored so often in the bliss gone by 
Their clinging hands and meeting lips. Her lids 
Were wan with tears, her tender cheeks had thinned ; 
Her lips' delicious curves were drawn with grief ; 
The lustrous glory of her hair was hid — 
Close-bound as widows use ; no ornament 
She wore, nor any jewel clasped the cloth — 
Coarse, and of mourning-white — crossed on her breast 
Slow moved and painfully those small fine feet 
Which had the roe's gait and the rose-leaf's fall 
In old years at the loving voice of him. 
Her eyes, those lamps of love, — which were as if 
Sunlight should shine from out the deepest dark, 
Illumining Night's peace with Daytime's glow — 
Unlighted now, and roving aimlessly, 
Scarce marked the clustering signs of coming Spring 
So the silk lashes drooped over their orbs. 
In one hand was a girdle thick with pearls, 
Siddartha's — treasured since that night he fled — 
(Ah, bitter Night ! mother of weeping days ! 
When was fond Love so pitiless to love 
Save that this scorned to limit love by life ?) 
The other led her little son, a boy 
> Divinely fair, the pledge Siddartha left — 
Named Rahula — now seven years old, who tripped 
Gladsome beside his mother, light of heart 
To see the spring-blooms burgeon o'er the world. 

So while they lingered by the lotus-pools 
And, lightly laughing, Rahula flung rice 
To feed the blue and purple fish ; and she 



126 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

With sad eyes watched the swiftly-flying cranes, 

Sighing, " Oh ! creatures of the wandering win§, 

If ye shall light where my dear Lord is hid. 

Say that Yasodhara lives nigh to death 

For one word of his mouth, one touch of him ! " — 

So, as they played and sighed — mother and child — 

Came some among the damsels of the Court 

Saying, " Great Princess ! there have entered in 

At the south gate merchants of Hastinpur 2 

Tripusha called and Bhalluk, men of worth, 

Long traveled from the loud sea's edge, who bring 

Mavelous lovely webs pictured with gold, 

Waved blades of gilded steel, wrought bowls in brass, 

Cut ivories, spice, simples, and unknown birds, 

Treasures of far-off peoples ; but they bring 

That which doth beggar these, for He is seen ! 

Thy Lord, — our Lord, — the hope of all the land — 

Siddartha ! they have seen him face to face, 

Yea, and have worshiped him with knees and brows, 

And offered offerings ; for he is become 

All which was shown, a teacher of the wise, 

World-honored, holy, wonderful ; a Buddh 

Who doth deliver men and save all flesh 

By sweetest speech and pity vast as Heaven : 

And, lo ! he journeyeth hither these do say." 

Then — while the glad blood bounded in her veins 
As Gunga leaps when first the mountain snows 
Melt at her springs — uprose Yasbdhara 
And clapped her palms, and laughed, with brimming 
tears 



BOOK THE SEVENTH. I27 

Beading her lashes. "Oh ! call quick," she cried, 
" These merchants to my purdah, 3 for mine ears 
Thirst like parched throats to drink their blessed news. 
Go bring them in, — but if their tale be true, 
Say I will fill their girdles with much gold, 
With gems that Kings shall envy : come ye too, 
My girls, for ye shall have guerdon of this 
If t>ere be gifts to speak my grateful heart." 

So went those merchants to the Pleasure-House, 
Full softly pacing through its golden ways 
With naked feet, 4 amid the peering maids, 
Much wondering at the glories of the Court. 
Whom, when they came without the purdah's folds, 5 
A voice, tender and eager, filled and charmed 
With trembling music, saying, " Ye are come 
From far, fair Sirs ! and ye have seen my Lord — 
Yea, worshiped — for he is become a Buddh, 
World-honored, holy, and delivers men, 
And journeyeth hither. Speak ! for, if this be, 
Friends are ye of my House, welcome and dear." 

Then answer made Tripusha, "We have seen 
That sacred Master, Princess ! we have bowed 
Before his feet ; for who was lost a Prince 
Is found a greater than the King of kings. 
Under the Bodhi-tree 6 by Phalgu's bank 
That which shall save the world hath late been wrought 
By him — the Friend of all, the Prince of all — 
Thine most, High Lady ! from whose tears men win 
The comfort of this Word the Master speaks. 



128 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Lo ! he is well, as one beyond all ills, 

Uplifted as a god from earthly woes, 

Shining with risen Truth, golden and clear. 

Moreover as he entereth town by town, 

Preaching those noble ways which lead to peace. 

The hearts of men follow his path as leaves 

Troop to wind or sheep draw after one 

Who knows the pastures. We ourselves have heard 

By Gaya in the green Tchirnika 7 grove 

Those wondrous lips and done them reverence : 

He cometh hither ere the first rains fall." 

Thus spake he, and Yasodhara, for joy, 
Scarce mastered breath to answer, " Be it well 
Now and at all times with ye, worthy friends ! 
Who bring good tilings ; but of this great thing 
Wist ye how it befell ? " 

Then Bhalluk told 
Such as the people of the valleys knew 
Of that dread night of conflict, when the air 
Darkened with fiendish shadows, and the earth 
Quaked, and the waters swelled with Mara's wrath. c 
Also how gloriously that morning broke 
Radiant witn rising hopes for man, and how 
The Lord was found rejoicing 'neath his Tree. 
But many days the burden of release — 
To be escaped beyond all storms of doubt, 
Safe on Truth's shore — lay, spake he, on that heart 
A golden load ; for how shall men — Buddh mused-=* 
Who love their sins and cleave to cheats of sense, 
And drink of error from a thousand springs — 



BOOK THE SEVENTH. 1 29 

Having no mind to see, nor strength to break 

The fleshly snare which binds them — how should such 

Receive the Twelve Nidanas 9 and the Law 

Redeeming all, yet strange to profit by, 

As the caged bird oft shuns its opened door ? 

So had we missed the helpful victory 

If, in this earth without a refuge, Buddh 

Winning the way, had deemed it all too hard 

For mortal feet, and passed, none following him. 

Yet pondered the compassion of our Lord, 

But in that hour there rang a voice as sharp 

As cry of travail, so as if the earth 

Moaned in birth-throe '; Ncsyami aham bhd 

Nasyati loka ! " Surely I am lost, 

I and my creatures : then a pause, and next, 

A pleading sigh borne on the western wind, 

" Sruyatdm dharma, Bhagwat /" Oh, Supreme! 

Let thy great Law be uttered ! Whereupon 

The Master cast his vision forth on flesh, 

Saw who should hear and who must wait to hear, 

As the keen Sun gilding the lotus-lakes 

Seeth which buds will open to his beams 

And. which are not yet risen from their roots ; 

Then spake, divinely smiling, "Yea ! I preach ! 

Whoso will listen let him learn the Law." 

Afterwards passed he, said they, by the hills 
Unto Benares, where he taught the Five, 10 
Showing how birth and death should be destroyed* 
And how man hath no fate except past deeds, 



I30 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

No Hell but what he makes, no Heaven too high 
For those to reach whose passions sleep subdued. 
This was the fifteenth day of Vaishya 11 
Mid-afternoon and that night was full moon. 

But, of the Rishis, 12 first Kaundinya 
Owned the Four Troths 13 and entered on the Paths 
And after him Bhadraka, Asvajit, 
Basava, Mahanama ; also there 
Within the Deer-park, at the feet of Buddh, 
Yasad the Prince 14 with nobles fifty-four 
Hearing the blessed word our Master spake 
Worshiped and followed ; for there sprang up peace 
And knowledge of a new time come for men 
In all who heard, as spring the flowers and grass 
When water sparkles through a sandy plain. 

These sixty — said they — did our Lord send forth, 
Made perfect in restraint and passion-free, 
To teach the Way ; but the World-honored turned 
South from the Deer-park and Isipatan 
To Yashti and King Bimbsara's realm, 
Where many days he taught ; and after these 
King Bimbsara and his folk believed, 
Learning the law of love and ordered life. 
Also he gave the Master, of free gift, — 
Pouring forth water on the hands of Buddh — 
The Bamboo-Garden, named Weluvana, 
Wherein are streams and caves and lovely glades ; 
And the King set a stone there, carved with this : — 



BOOK THE SEVENTH. I3I 

Ye* dharma hetuppabhawa 

Yesan hetun Tathdgato j 
Aha yesan cha yo nirodhd 
Ewan wadi Maha samano. 

" What life's course and cause sustain 
These Tathagato made plain ; 
What delivers from life's woe 
That our Lord hath made us know." 

And, in that Garden — said they — there was held 
A high Assembly, where the Teacher spake 
Wisdom and power, winning all souls which heard, 
So that nine hundred took the yellow robe — 
Such as the Master wears, — and spread his Law ; 
And this the gatha 15 was wherewith he closed ; — 

Sabba pdpassa akaranan; 
Kusalassa upasampadd j 
Sa chitta pariyodapanan ; 
Etan Budhdnusdsanan. 

" Evil swells the debts to pay, 
Good delivers and acquits ; 
Shun evil, follow good ; hold sway 
Over thyself. This is the Way." 

Whom, when they ended, speaking so of him, 
With gifts, and thanks which made the jewels dull, 
The Princess recompensed. " But by what road 
Wendeth my Lord ? " she asked : the merchants said, 
" Yojans ls three- score stretch from the city- walls 



IJ2 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

To Rajagriha, whence the easy path 
Passeth by Sona " hither and the hills. 
Our oxen, treading eight slow kos 18 a day, 
Came in one mocn." 

Then the King hearing word, 
Sent nobles of the Court — well-mounted lords- 
Nine separate messengers, each embassy 
Bidden to say, " The King Suddhodana — 
Nearer the pyre by seven long years of lack, 
Wherethrough he hath not ceased to seek for thee — 
Prays of his son to come unto his own, 
The Throne and people of this longing Realm, 
Lest he shall die and see thy face no more." 
Also nine horsemen sent Yasodhara 
Bidden to say, " The Princess of thy House — 
Rahula's mother 19 — craves to see thy face 
As the night-blowing moon-flower's swelling heart * 9 . 
Pines for the moon, as pale asoka-buds 21 
Wait for a woman's foot : if thou hast found 
More than was lost, she prays her part in this, 
Rahula's part, but most of all thyself." 
So sped the Sakya Lords, but it befell 
That each one, with the message in his mouth, 
Entered the Bamboo-Garden in that hour 
When Buddha taught his Law ; and — hearing — each 
Forgot to speak, lost thought of King and quest, 
Of the sad Princess even ; only gazed 
Eye-rapt upon the Master ; only hung 
Heart-caught upon the speech, compassionate, 
Commanding, perfect, pure, enlightening all, 
Poured from those sacred lips. Look ! like a bee 



BOOK THE SEVENTH. 133 

Winged for the hive, who sees the mogras 22 spread 

And scents their utter sweetness on the air, 

If he be honey-filled, it matters not ; 

If night be nigh, or rain, he will not heed ; 

Needs must he light on those delicious blooms 

And drain their nectar ; so these messengers 

One with another, hearing Buddha's words, 

Let go the purpose of their speed, and mixed. 

Heedless of all, amid the Master's train. 

Wherefore the King bade that Udayi 23 go — 

Chiefest in all the Court, and faithfulest, 

Siddartha's playmate in the happier days — 

Who, as he drew anear the garden, plucked 

Blown tufts of tree-wool 24 from the grove and sealed 

The entrance of his hearing ; thus he came 

Safe through the lofty peril of the place 

And told the message of the King, and her's. 

Then meekly bowed his head and spake our Lord 
Before the people, " Surely I shall go ! 
It is my duty as it was my will; 
Let no man miss to render reverence 
To those who lend him life, whereby come means 
To live and die no more, but safe attain 
Blissful Nirvana, 25 if ye keep the Law, 
Purging past wrongs and adding nought thereto, 
Complete in love and lovely charities. 
Let the King know and let the Princess hear 
I take the way forthwith." This told, the folk 
Of white Kapilavastu and its fields 
Made ready for the entrance of their Prince. 



134 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

At the south gate a bright pavilion rose 

With flower-wreathed pillars and the walls of silk 

Wrought on their red and green with woven gold- 

Also the roads were laid with scented boughs 

Of neem 26 and mango, 27 and full masakhs 28 shed 

Sandal and jasmine on the dust, and flags 

Fluttered ; and on the day when he should come 

It was ordained how many elephants — 

With silver howdahs 29 and their tusks gold-tipped — 

Should wait beyond the ford, and where the drums 

Should boom " Siddartha cometh ! " where the lords 

Should light and worship, and the dancing-girls 

Where they should strew their flowers with dance and song 

So that the steed he rode might tramp knee-deep 

In rose and balsam, and the ways be fair ; 

While the town rang with music and high joy. 

This was ordained, and all men's ears were pricked 

DaAvn after dawn to catch the first drum's beat 

Announcing, " Now he cometh ! " 

But it fell — 
Eager to be before — Yasodhara 
Rode in her litter to the city-walls 
Where soared the bright pavilion. All around 
A beauteous garden smiled — Nigrodha 30 named — 
Shaded with bel-trees 31 and the green-plumed dates, 
New-trimmed and gay with winding walks and banks 
Of fruits and flowers ; for the southern road 
Skirted its lawns, on this hand leaf and bloom, 
On that the suburb-huts where base-born s dwelt 
Outside the gates, a patient folk and poor, 
Whose touch for Kshatriya 32 and priest of Brahm 



BOOK THE SEVENTH. 135 

Were sore defilement. Yet those, too, were quick 

With expectation, rising ere the dawn 

To peer along the road, to climb the trees 

At far-off trumpet of some elephant, 

Or stir of temple-drum ; and when none came, 

Busied with lowly chares 33 to please the Prince ; 

Sweeping their door-stones, setting forth their flags, 

Stringing the fluted fig-leaves into chains, 

New furbishing the Lingam, 34 decking new 

Yesterday's faded arch of boughs, but aye 

Questioning wayfarers if any noise 

Be on the road of great Siddartha. These 

The Princess marked with lovely languid eyes, 

Watching, as they, the southward plain, and bent 

Like them to listen if the passers gave 

News of the path. So fell it she beheld 

One slow approaching with his head close shorn, 

A yellow cloth over his shoulder cast, 

Girt as the hermits are, and in his hand 

An earthen bowl, shaped melon wise, the which 

Meekly at each hut-door he held a space, 

Taking the granted dole with gentle thanks 

And all as gently passing where none gave. 

Two followed him wearing the yellow robe, 

But he who bore the bowl so lordly seemed, 

So reverend, and with such a passage moved, 

W T ith so commanding presence filled the air, 

With such sweet eyes of holiness smote all, 

That as they reached him alms the givers gazed 

Awestruck upon his face, and some bent down 

In worship, and some ran to fetch fresh gifts, 



136 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Grieved to be poor ; till slowly, group by group, 

Children and men and women drew behind 

Into his steps, whispering with covered lips, 

" Who is he ? who ? when looked a Rishi 35 thus ?" 

But as he came with quiet footfall on 

Nigh the pavilion, lo ! the silken door 

Lifted, and, all unveiled, Yasbdhara 

Stood in his path crying, " Siddartha ! Lord !. " 

With wide eyes streaming and with close-clasped hands, 

Then sobbing fell upon his feet, and lay. 

Afterwards, when this weeping lady passed 
Into the Noble Paths, 36 and one had prayed 
Answer from Buddha wherefore — being vowed 
Quit of all mortal passion and the touch, 
Flower-soft and conquering, of a woman's hands — 
Lie suffered such embrace, the Master said : 
" The greater beareth with the lesser love 
So it may raise it unto easier heights. 
Take heed that no man, being 'scaped from bonds, 
Vexeth bound souls with boasts of liberty. 
Free are ye rather that your freedom spread 
By patient winning and sweet wisdom's skill. 
Three eras of long toil bring Bodhisats 37 — 
Who will be guides and help this darkling world— 
Unto deliverance, and the first is named 
Of deep ' Resolve,' the second of 'Attempt,' 
The third of ' Nomination.' Lo ! I lived 
In era of Resolve, desiring good, 
Searching for wisdom, but mine eyes were sealed 
Count the gray seeds on yonder castor-clump, 



BOOK THE SEVENTH. I37 

So many rains it is since I was Ram, 

A merchant of the coast which looketh south 

To Lanka 38 and the hiding place of pearls. 

Also in that far -time Yasodhara 

Dwelt with me in our village by the sea, 

Tender as now, and Lakshmi was her name. 

And I remember how I journeyed thence 

Seeking our gain, for poor the household was 

And lowly. Not the less with wistful tears 

She prayed me that I should not part, nor tempt 

Perils by land and water. * How could love 

Leave what it loved ? ' she wailed ; yet, venturing, I 

Passed to the Straits, and after storm and toil 

And deadly strife with creatures of the deep, 

And woes beneath the midnight and the noon, 

Searching the wave I won therefrom a pearl 

Moonlike and glorious, such as Kings might buy 

Emptying their treasury. Then came I glad 

Unto mine hills, but over all that land 

Famine spread sore ; ill was I stead to live 

In journey home, and hardly reached my door — 

Aching for food — with that white wealth of the sea 

Tied in my girdle. Yet no food was there ; 

And on the threshold she for whom I toiled — 

More than myself — lay with her speechless lips 

Nigh unto death for one small gift of grain. 

Then cried I, ' If there be who hath of grain, 

Here is a kingdom's ransom for one life : 

Give Lakshmi bread and take my moonlight pearl. 

Whereat one brought the last of all his hoard, 

Millet-r-three seers M — and clutched the beauteous thing. 



138 THE LIGHT OF ASIA, 

But Lakshmi lived and sighed with gathered life, 
- Lo ! thou didst love indeed ! - I spent my pearl 
Well in that life to comfort heart and mind 
Else quite uncomforted, but these pure pearls, 
My last large gain, won from a deeper wave — 
The Twelve Nidanas 40 and the Law of Good— 
Cannot be spent, nor dimmed, and most fulfill 
Their perfect beauty being freeliest given. 
For like as is to Meru 41 yonder hill 
Heaped by the little ants, and like as dew 
Dropped in the footmark of a bounding roe 
Unto the shoreless seas, so was that gift 
Unto my present, giving ; and so love — 
Vaster in being free from toils of sense — 
Was wisest stooping to the weaker heart ; 
And so the feet of sweet Yasodhara 
Passed into peace and bliss, being softly led." 42 

But when the King heard how Siddartha came 
Shorn, with the mendicant's sad-colored cloth, 
And stretching out a bowl to gather orts 
From base-borns' leavings, wrathful sorrow drove 
Love from his heart. Thrice on the ground he spat, 
Plucked at his silvered beard, and strode straight forth 
Lackeyed by trembling lords. Frowning he clcmb 
Upon his war-horse, drove the spurs, and dashed, 
Angered, through wondering streets and lanes of folk, 
Scarce finding breath to say, " The King ! bow down ! 
Ere the loud cavalcade had clattered by : 
Which — at the turning by the Temple-wall 
Where the south gate was seen — encountered full 



BOOK THE SEVENTH. 139 

A mighty crowd ; to every edge of it 

Poured fast more people, till the roads were lost, 

Blotted by that huge company which thronged 

And grew, close following him whose look serene 

Met the old King's. Nor lived the father's wrath 

Longer than while the gentle eyes of Buddh 

Lingered in worship on his troubled brows, 

Then downcast sank, with his true knee, to earth 

In proud humility. So dear it seemed 

To see the Prince, to know him whole, to mark 

That glory greater than of earthly state 

Crowning his head, that majesty which brought 

All men, so awed and silent, in his steps. 

Nathless the King broke forth, " Ends it in this 

That great Siddartha steals into his realm, 

Wrapped in a clout, shorn, sandaled, craving food 

Of low-borns, he whose life was as a God's ? 

My son ! heir of this spacious power, and heir 

Of Kings who did but clap their palms to have 

What earth could give or eager service- bring ? 

Thou should'st have come appareled in thy rank, 

With shining spears and tramp of horse and foot. 

Lo ! all my soldiers camped upon the road, 

And all my city waited at the gates ; 

Where haov thou sojourned through these evil years 

Whilst thy crowned father mourned ? and she, too, there 

Lived as the widows use, foregoing joys ; 

Never once hearing sound of song or string, 

Nor wearing once the festal robe, till now 

When in her cloth of gold she welcomes home 

A beggar spouse in yellow remnants clad. 



I40 TH£ LIGHT OF ASiA. 

Son ! why is this ? " 

" My Father ! " came reply, 
" It is the custom of my race." 

" Thy race," 
Answered the King, "counteth a hundred thrones 
From Mahdsammat, 43 but no deed like this." 

" Not of a mortal line," the Master said, 
" I spake, but of descent invisible, 
The Buddhas who have been and who shall be : 
Of these am. I, and what they did I do. 
And this which now befalls so fell before 
That at his gate a King in warrior-mail 
Should meet his son, a Prince in hermit-weeds ; 
And that, by love and self-control, being more 
Than mightiest Kings in all their puissance, 
The appointed Helper of the Worlds should bow — 
As now do I — and with all lowly love 
Proffer, where it is owed for tender debts, 
The first-fruits of the treasure he hath brought ; 
Which now I proffer." 

Then the King amazed 
Inquired "What treasure ? " and the Teacher took 
Meekly the royal palm, and while they paced 
Through worshiping streets — the Princess and the King 
On either side — he told the things which make 
For peace and pureness, those Four noble Truths 44 
Which hold all wisdom as shores shut the seas, 
Those eight right Rules 45 whereby who will may walk — 
Monarch or slave — upon the perfect Path 
That hath its Stages Four 46 and Precepts Eight, 47 



BOOK THE SEVENTH. 141 

Whereby whoso will live — mighty or mean, 
Wise or unlearned, man, woman, young or old — 
Shall soon or late break from the wheels of life 
Attaining blest Nirvana. So they came 
Into the Palace-porch, Suddhodana 
With brows unknit drinking the mighty words, 
And in his own hand carrying Buddha's bowl, 
Whilst a new light brightened the lovely eyes 
Of sweet Yasbdhara and sunned her tears ; 
And that night entered they the Way of Peace. 



Book tti* @igl)tl). 



A broad iread spreads by swift Kohana's bank 
At Nagara ;' five days shall bring a man 
In ox-wain 2 thither from Benares' shrines 
Eastward and northward journeying. The horns 
Of white Himala look upon the place, 
Which all the year is glad with blooms and girt 
By groves made green from that bright streamlet's wave. 
Soft are its slopes and cool its fragrant shades, 
And holy all the spirit of the spot 
Unto this time : the breath of eve comes hushed 
Over the tangled thickets, and high heaps 
Of carved red stones cloven by root and stem 
Of creeping fig, and clad with waving veil 
Of leaf and grass. The still snake glistens forth 
From crumbled work of lac and cedar-beams 
To coil his folds there on deep-graven slabs ; 
The lizard dwells and darts o'er painted floors 
Where kings have paced ; the gray fox litters safe 
Under the broken thrones ; only the peaks, 
And stream, and sloping lawns, and gentle air 
Abide unchanged. All else, like all fair shows 
Of life, are fled — for this is where it stood, 

142 



BOOK THE EIGHTH. 143 

The city of Suddhodana, the hill 
Whereon, upon an eve of gold and blue 
At sinking sun Lord Buddha set himself 
To teach the Law in hearing of his own. 

Lo ! ye shall read it in the Sacred Books 
How, being met in that glad pleasaunce-place — 
A garden in old days with hanging walks, 
Fountains, and tanks, and rose-banked terraces 
Girdled by gay pavilions and the sweep 
Of stately palace-fronts — the Master sate 
Eminent, worshiped, all the earnest throng 
Catching the opening of his lips to learn 
That wisdom which hath made our Asia mild ; 
Whereto four hundred crors 3 of living souls 
Witness this day. Upon the King's right hand 
He sate, ar.d round were ranged the Sakya Lords 
Ananda, Devadatta — all the Court. 
Behind stood Seriyut and Mugallan, chiefs 
Of the calm brethren in the yellow garb, 
A goodly company. Between his knees 
Rahula smiled with wondering childish eyes 
Bent on the awful face, while at his feet 
Sate sweet Yasodhara, her heartaches gone, 
Foreseeing that fair love which doth not feed 
On fleeting sense, that life which knows no age, 
That blessed last of deaths when Death is dead, 
His victory and hers. Wherefore she laid 
Her hand upon his hands, folding around 
Her silver shoulder-cloth his yellow robe, 
Nearest in all the world to him whose words 



144 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

The Three Worlds waited for. I cannot tell 

A small part of the splendid lore which broke 

From Buddha's lips: I am a late-come scribe 

Who love the Master and his love of men, 

And tell this legend, knowing he was wise, 

But have not wit to speak beyond the books ; 

And time hath blurred their script and ancient sense, 

Which once was new and mighty, moving all. 

A little of that large discourse I know 

Which Buddha spake on the soft Indian eve. 

Also I know it writ that they who heard 

Were more — lakhs 4 more — crors more; — than could be 

seen, 
For all the Devas and the Dead thronged there, 
Till Heaven was emptied to the seventh zone 
And uttermost dark Hells opened their bars ; 
Also the daylight lingered past its time 
In rose-leaf radiance on the watching peaks, 
So that it seemed Night listened in the glens 
And Noon upon the mountains ; yea, they write, 
The evening stood between them like some maid 
Celestial, love-struck, rapt ; the smooth-rolled clouds 
Her braided hair ; the studded stars the pearls 
And diamonds of her coronal ; the moon 
4er forehead-jewel, and the deepening dark 
tier woven garments. 'Twas her close-held breath 
Which came in scented sighs across the lawns 
While our Lord taught, and, while he taught, who heard — 
Though he were stranger in the land, or slave, 
High caste or low, come of the Aryan blood, 
Or Mlech 5 or Jungle-dweller-— seemed to hear 



BOOK THE EIGHTH. 145 

What tongue his fellows talked. Nay, outside those 
Who crowded by the river, great and small, 
The birds and beasts and creeping things 6 — 'tis writ — 
Had sense of Buddha's vast embracing love 
And took the promise of his piteous speech ; 
So that their lives — prisoned in shape of ape, 
Tiger, or deer, shagged bear, jackal, or wolf, 
Foul-feeding kite, pearled dove, or peacock gemmed, 
Squat toad, or speckled serpent, lizard, bat ; 
Yea, or of fish fanning the river-waves — 
Touched meekly at the skirts of brotherhood 
With man who hath less innocence than these ; 
And in mute gladness knew their bondage broke 
Whilst Buddha spake these things before the King :— 



Om, 7 amitaya ! 8 measure not with words 

Th' Immeasurable : nor sink the string of thought 

Into the Fathomless. Who asks doth err, 
Who answers, errs. Say nought ! 

The Books teach Darkness was, at first of all, 
And Brahm, sole meditating in that night : 

Look not for Brahm 9 and the Beginning there ! 
Nor him, nor any light 

Shall any gazer see with mortal eyes, 
Or any searcher know by mortal mind ; 

Veil after veil will lift — but there must be. 
Veil upon veil behind. 



146 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Stars sweep and question not. This is enough 
That life and death and joy and woe abide ; 

And cause and sequence, and the course of time, 
And Being's ceaseless tide, 

Which, ever-changing, runs, linked like a river 
By ripples following ripples, fast or slow — 

The same yet not the same — from far-off fountain 
To where its waters flow 

Into the seas. These, steaming to the Sun, 
Give the lost wavelets back in cloudy fleece 

To trickle down the hills, and glide again ; 
Having no pause or peace. 

This is enough to know, the phantasms are ; 

The Heavens, Earths, Worlds, and changes changing 
them 
A mighty whirling wheel of strife and stress 

Which none can stay or stem. 

Pray not ! the darkness will not brighten ! Ask 
Nought from the Silence, for it cannot speak ! 

Vex not your mournful minds with pious pains ! 
Ah ! Brothers, Sisters ! seek 

Nought from the helpless gods by gift and hymn, 
Nor bribe with blood, nor feed with fruit and cakes ; 

Within yourselves deliverance must be sought ; 
Each man his prison makes. 10 



BOOK THE EIGHTH- 147 

Ea*h hath such lordship as the loftiest ones ; 

Nay, for with Powers above, around, below, 
As with all flesh and whatsoever lives, 

Act maketh joy and woe. 

What hath been bringeth what shall be, and is, 
Worse — better — last for first and first for last ; 

The Angels in the Heavens of Gladness resjs 
Fruits of a holy past. 

m 

The devils in the underworlds wear out 
Deeds that were wicked in an age gone by. 

Nothing endures : fair virtues waste with tJme, 
Foul sins grow purged thereby. 

Who toiled a slave may come anew a Prince 

For gentle worthiness and merit won ; 
Who ruled a King may wander earth in rags 

For things done and undone. 

Higher than Indra/s n ye may lift your lot, 
And sink it lower than the worm or gnat ; 

The end of many myriad live:; is this, 
The end of myriads that. 

Only, while turns this wheel invisible, 

No pause, no peace, no staying-place can be ; 

Who mounts will fall., who falls may mount : the spokes 
Go round unceasingly ! 



I48 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

If ye lay bound upon the wheel of change, 
And no way were of breaking from the chauu 

The Heart of boundless Being Is a cui^c. 
The Soul of Things fell Pain. 

Ye are not bound ! the Soul of Things is sweet, 
The Heart of Being is celestial rest ; 

Stronger than woe is will : that which was Good 
Doth pass to Better — Best. 

I, Buddh, who wept witii all my brothers' tears, 
Whose heart was broken by a whole world's woe, 

Laugh and am glad, for there is Liberty r 
Ho ! ye who suffer ! know 

Ye suffer from yourselves. None else compels, 
None other holds you that ye live and die, 

And whirl upon the wheel, and hug and kiss 
Its spokes of agony, 

Its tire of tears, its nave of nothingness. 

Behold, I show you Truth ! Lower than hell, 
Higher than heaven, outside the utmost stars, 

Farther than Brahm doth dwell, 

Before beginning, and without an end, 

As space eternal and as surety sure, 
Is fixed a power divine which moves to good, 

Only its laws endure. 

This is its touch upon the blossomed rose. 
The fashion of its hand shaped lotus-leaves; 



BOOK THE EIGHTH. I49 

In dark soil and the silence of the seeds 
The robe of Spring it weaves ; 

That is its painting on the glorious clouds, 

And these its emeralds on the peacock's train ; 

It hath its stations in the stars ; its slaves 
In lightning, wind, and rain. 

Out of the dark it wrought the heart of man, 
Out of dull shells the pheasant's penciled neck ; 

Ever at toil, it brings to loveliness 
All ancient wrath and wreck. 

The gray eggs in the golden sun-bird's nest 

Its treasures are, the bees' six-sided cell 
Its honey-pot ; the ant wots of its ways, 

The white doves know them well. 

It spreadeth forth for flight the eagle's wings 
What time she beareth home her prey ; it sends 

The she-wolf to her cubs ; for unloved things 
It fmdeth food and friends. 

It is not marred nor stayed in any use, 

All liketh it ; the sweet white milk it brings 

To mothers' breasts ; it brings the white drops, too, 
Wherewith the young snake stings. 

The ordered music of the marching orbs 

It makes in viewless canopy of sky ; 
In deep abyss of earth it hides up gold, 

Sards, sapphires, lazuli. " 



150 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Ever and ever bringing secrets forth, 

It sitteth in the green of forest-glades 
Nursing strange seedlings at the cedar's root, 

Devising leaves, blooms, blades. 

It slayeth and it saveth, nowise moved 
, Except unto the working out of doom ; 
Its threads are Love and Life ; and Death and Pain 
The shuttles of its loom. 

It maketh and unmaketh, mending all ; 

What it hath wrought is better than hath been ; 
Slow grows the splendid pattern that it plans 

Its wistful hands between. 

This is its work upon the things ye see, 

The unseen things are more ; men's hearts and minds, 
The thoughts of peoples and their ways and wills. 

Those, too, the great Law binds. 

Unseen it helpeth ye with faithful hands, 

Unheard it speaketh stronger than the storm. 

Pity and Love are man's because long stress 
Molded blind mass to form. 

It will not be contemned of any one ; 

Who thwarts it loses, and who serves it gains ; 
The hidden good it pays with peace and bliss, 

The hidden ill with pains. 

It seeth everywhere and-marketh all : 

Do right — it recompenseth ! do one wrong— 



BOOK THE EIGHTH. 151 



The equal retribution must be made, 
Though Dharma 12 tarrv lonsr. 



l D 



It knows not wrath nor pardon ; utter-true 

Its measures mete, its faultless. balance weighs ; 

Times are as nought, to-morrow it will judge, 
Or after many days. 

By this the slayer's knife did stab himself ; 

The unjust judge hath lost his own defender ; 
The false tongue dooms its lie ; the creeping thief 

And spoiler rob, to render. 

Such is the Law which moves to righteousness, 
Which none at last can turn aside or stay ; 

The heart of it is Love, the end of it 

Is Peace and Consummation sweet. Obey ! 



The Books say well, my Brothers ! each man's life 
The outcome of his former living is ; 

The bygone wrongs bring forth sorrows and woes, 
The bygone right breeds bliss. 

That which ye sow ye reap. See yonder fields ! 

The sesamum was sesamum, 13 the corn 
Was corn. The Silence and the Darkness knew ! 

So is a man's fate born. 

He cometh, reaper of the things he sowed, 
Sesamum, corn, so much cast in past birth ; 



152 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

And so much weed and poison-stuff, which mar 
Him and the aching earth. 

If he shall labor rightly, rooting these, 

And planting wholesome seedlings where they grew, 
Fruitful and fair and clean the ground shall be, 
'And rich the harvest due. 

If he who liveth, learning whence woe springs, 

Endureth patiently, striving to pay 
His utmost debt for ancient evils done 

In Love and Truth alway ; 

If making none to lack, he throughly purge 
The lie and lust of self forth from his blood ; 

Suffering all meekly, rendering for offense 
Nothing but grace and good ; 

If he shall day by day dwell merciful, 

Holy and just and kind and true ; and rend 

Desire from where it clings with bleeding roots, 
Till love of life have end : 

He — dying — leaveth as the sum of him 

A life-count closed, whose ills are dead and quit, 

Whose good is quick and mighty, far and near, 
So that fruits follow it. 

No need hath such to live as ye name life ; 

That which began in him when he began 
Is finished : he hath wrought the purpose through 

Of what did make him Man. 



BOOK THE EIGHTH. 153 

Never shall yearnings torture him, nor sins 
Stain him, nor ache of earthly joys and woes 

Invade his safe eternal peace ; nor deaths 
And lives recur. He goes 

Unto Nirvana. 14 He is one with Life 
Yet lives not. He is blest, ceasing to be. 

Om, 15 mani 16 padme, 17 om ! the Dewdrop slips 
Into the shining sea ! 18 

***** 

This is the doctrine of the Karma. 19 Learn ! 

Only when all the dross of sin is quit, 
Only when life dies like a white flame spent 

Death dies along with it. 

Say not " I am," " I was," or " I shall be," 

Think not ye pass from house to house of flesh 

Like travelers who remember and forget, 
Ill-lodged or well-lodged. Fresh 

Issues upon the Universe that sum 

Which is the lattermost of lives. It makes 

Its habitation as the worm spins silk 
And dwells therein. It takes 

Function and substance as the snake's egg hatched 
Takes scale and fang ; as feathered reed-seeds fly 

O'er rock and loam and sand, until they find 
Their marsh and multiply. 



154 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Also it issues forth to help or hurt. 

When Death the bitter murderer doth smite. 
Red roams the unpurged fragment of him, driven 

On wings of plague and blight. 

But when the mild and just die, sweet airs breathe ; 

The world grows richer, as if desert-stream 
Should sink away to sparkle up again 

Purer, with broader gleam. 

So merit won winneth the happier age 

Which by demerit halteth short of end ; 
Yet must this Law of Love reign King of all 

Before the Kalpas 20 end. 

What lets ? — Brothers ! the Darkness lets ! which breeds 
Ignorance, mazed whereby ye take these shows 

For true, and thirst to have, and, having, cling 
To lusts which work you woes. 

Ye that will tread the Middle Road, whose course 
Bright Reason traces and soft Quiet smoothes ; 

Ye who will take the high Nirvana-way 
List the Four Noble Truths. 

The First Truth is of Sorrow. Be not mocked ! 

Life which ye prize is long-drawn agony : 
Only its pains abide ; its pleasures are 

As birds which light and fly. 

Ache of the birth, ache of the helpless days, 

Ache of hot youth and ache of manhood's prime \ 



BOOK THE EIGHTH. 155 

Ache of the chill gray years and choking death, 
These fill your piteous time. 

Sweet is fond Love, but funeral-flames must kiss 
The breasts which pillow and the lips which cling 

Gallant is warlike Might, but vultures pick 
The joints of chief and King. 

Beauteous is Earth, but all its forest-broods 

Plot mutual slaughter, hungering to live ; 
Of sapphire are the skies, but when men cry 

Famished, no drops they give. 

Ask of the sick, the mourners, ask of him 
Who tottereth on his staff, lone and forlorn, 

" Liketh thee life ? " — these say the babe is wise 
That weepeth, being born. 

The Second Truth is Sorrow's Cause. What grief 
Springs of itself and springs not of Desire ? 

Senses and things perceived mingle and light 
Passion's quick spark of firj : 

So flameth Trishna, liu L . and thirst of things. 

Eager ye cleave to shadow.",, dote on dreams ; 
A false Self i.i the midst ye p!ant, and make 

A world around which :ejms 

Blind to the height beyond, deaf to the sound 
Of sweet airs breathed from far past Indra's sky ; 

Dumb to the summons of the true life kept 
For him who false puts by. 



156 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

So grow the strifes and lusts which make earth's war, 
So grieve poor cheated hearts and flow salt tears ; 

So wax the passions, envies, angers, hates ; 
So years chase blood-stained years 

With wild red feet. So, where the grain should grow, 
Spreads the biran-weed 21 with its evil root 

And poisonous blossoms ; hardly good seeds find 
Soil where to fall and shoot ; 

And drugged with poisonous drink the soul departs, 
And fierce with thirst to drink Karma returns ; 

Sense-struck again the sodden self begins, 
And new deceits it earns. 

The Third is Sorrow's Ceasing. This is peace 
To conquer love of self and lust of life, 

To tear deep-rooted passion from the breast, 
To still the inward strife ; 

For love to clasp Eternal Beauty close ; 

For glory to be Lord of self, for pleasure 
To live beyond the gods ; for countless wealth 

To lay up lasting treasure 

Of perfect service rendered, duties done 
In charity, soft speech, and stainless days : 

These riches shall not fade away in life, 
Nor any death dispraise. 

Then Sorrow ends, for Life and Death have ceased ; 
How should lamps flicker when their oil is spent ? 



BOOK THE EIGHTH. 1 57 



The old sad count is clear, the new is clean ; 
Thus hath a man content. 



* 



The Fourth Truth is The Way. It openeth wide, 
Plain for all feet to tread, easy and near, 

The Noble Eightfold Path ; it goeth straight 
To peace and refuge. Hear ! 

Manifold tracks lead to yon sister-peaks 

Around whose snows the gilded clouds are curled ; 

By steep or gentle slopes the climber comes 
Where breaks that other world. 

Strong limbs may dare the rugged road which storms, 
Soaring and perilous, the mountain's breast ; 

The weak must wind from slower ledge to ledge 
With many a place of rest. 

So is the Eightfold Path which brings to peace ; 

By lower or by upper heights it goes. 
The firm soul hastes, the feeble tarries. All 

Will reach the sunlit snows. 

The First good Level is Right Doctrine. Walk 
In Fear of Dharma, shunning all offense ; 

In heed of Karma, which doth make man's fate % 
In lordship over sense. 

The Second is Right Purpose. Have good- will 
To all that lives, letting unkindness die 



I58 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

And greed and wrath ; so that your lives be made 
Like soft airs passing by. 

The Third is Right Discourse. Govern the lips 
As they were palace-doors, the King within ; 

Tranquil and fair and courteous be all words 
Which from that presence win. 

The Fourth is Right Behavior. Let each act 

Assoil a fault or help a merit grow : 
Like threads of silver seen through crystal beads 

Let love through good deeds show. 

Four higher roadways be. Only those feet 

May tread them which have done with earthly things ; 

Right Purity, Right Thought, Right Loneli?iess^ 
Right Rapture. Spread no wings 

For sunward flight, thou soul with unplumed vans !. 

Sweet is the lower air and safe, and known 
The homely levels : only strong ones leave 

The nest each makes his own. 

Dear is the love, I know, of Wife and Child ; 

Pleasant the friends and pastimes of your years : 
Fruitful of good Life's gentle charities ; 

False, though firm-set, its fears. 

Live — ye who must — such lives as live on these ; 

Make golden stair-ways of your weakness ; rise 
By daily sojourn with those phantasies 

To lovelier verities. 



BOOK THE EIGHTH. 159 

So shall ye pass to clearer heights and find 

Easier ascents and lighter loads of sins, 
And larger will to burst the bonds of sense. 

Entering the Path. Who wins 

To such commencement hath the First Stage touched ; 

He knows the Noble Truths, the Eightfold Road ; 
By few or many steps such shall attain 

Nirvana's blest abode. 

Who standeth at the Second Stage, made free 
From doubts, delusions, and the inward strife, 

Lord of all lusts, quit of the priests and books, 
Shall live but one more life. 

Yet onward lies the Third Stage : purged and pure 
Hath grown the stately spirit here, hath risen 

To love all living things in perfect peace. 
His life at end, life's prison 

Is broken. Nay, there are who surely pass 

Living and visible to utmost goal 
By Fourth Stage of the Holy ones — the Buddhs — 

And they of stainless soul. 

Lo ! like fierce foes slain by some warrior, 

Ten sins along these Stages lie in dust, 
The Love of Self, False Faith, and Doubt aie rhre 

Two more, Hatred and Lust. 

■ 
Who of these Five is conqueror hath trod 

Three stages out of Four : yet there abide 



h 



l6o THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

The Love of Life on Earth, Desire for Heaven, 
Self-Praise, Error, and Pride. 

As one who stands on yonder snowy horn 

Having nought o'er him but the boundless blue, 

So, these sins being slain, the man is come 
Nirvana's verge unto. 

Him the Gods envy from their lower seats ; 

Him the Three Worlds in ruin should not shake ; 
All life is lived for hinv all deaths are dead ; 

Karma will no more make 

New houses. Seeking nothing, he gains all ; 

Foregoing self, the Universe grows " I : " 
If any teach NIRVANA is to cease, 

Say unto such they lie. 

If any teach NIRVANA is to live, 

Say unto such they err ; 22 not knowing this, 

Nor what light shines beyond their broken lamps, 
Nor lifeless, timeless bliss. 

Enter the Path ! There is no grief like Hate ! 

No pains like passions, no deceit like sense ! 
Enter the Path ! far hath he gone whose foot 

Treads down one fond offense. 

Enter the Path ! There spring the healing streams 

Quenching all thirst ! there bloom th' immortal flowers 

Carpeting all, the way with joy ! there throng 
Swiftest and sweetest hours ! 

* * * « 



BOOK THE EIGHTH. l6l 

More is the treasure of the Law than gems ; 

Sweeter than comb its sweetness ; its delights 
Delightful past compare. Thereby to live 

Hear the Five Rules aright **** 

Kill not — for Pity's sake — and lest ye slay 
The meanest thing upon its upward way. 

Give freely and receive, but take from none 
By greed, or force or fraud, what is his own. 

Bear not false witness, slander not, nor lie ; 
Truth is the speech of inward purity. 

Shun drugs and drinks which work the wit abuse ; 
Clear minds, clean bodies, need no Soma juice. 23 

Touch not thy neighbor's wife, neither commit 
Sins of the flesh unlawful and unfit. 



These words the Master spake of duties due 
To father, mother, children, fellows, friends ; 
Teaching how such as may not swiftly break 
The clinging chains of sense — whose feet are weak 
To tread the higher road — should order so 
This life of flesh that all their hither days 
Pass blameless in discharge of charities 
And first true footfalls in the Eightfold Path ; 
Living pure, reverent, patient, pitiful, 
Loving all things which live even as themselves ; 
6 



l62 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Because what falls for ill is fruit of ill 

Wrought in the past, and what falls well of good ; 

And that by howsomuch the householder 

Purgeth himself of self and helps the world, 

By so much happier comes he to next stage, 

In.so much bettered being. This he spake, 

As also long before, when our Lord walked 

By Rajagriha in the bamboo-grove : 

For on a dawn he walked there and beheld 

The householder Singala, newly bathed, 

Bowing himself with bare head to the earth, 

To Heaven, and all four quarters ; while he threw 

Rice, red and white, from both hands. 24 " Wherefore thus 

Bowest thou, Brother ? " said the Lord ; and he, 

" It is the way, Great Sir ! our fathers taught 

At every dawn, before the toil begins, 

To hold off evil from the sky above 

And earth beneath, and all the winds which blow." 

Then the World-honored spake : " Scatter not rice, 

But offer loving thoughts and acts to all. 

To parents as the East where rises light ; 

To teachers as the South whence rich gifts come ; 

To wife and children as the West where gleam 

Colors of love and calm, and all days end ; 

To friends and kinsmen and all men as North ; 

To humblest living things beneath, to Saints 

And Angels and the blessed Dead above : 

So shall all evil be shut off, and so 

The six main quarters will be safely kept." 

But to his own, them of the yellow robe — 
They who, as wakened eagles, soar with scorn 



BOOK THE EIGHTH. 163 

From life's low vale, and wing towards the Sun — 

To these he taught the Ten Observances, 

The Dasa sil™ and how a mendicant 

Must know the Three Doors 26 and the Triple Thoughts ; * 

The Sixfold States of Mind j 28 the Fivefold Powers j 29 

The Eight High Gates of Purity ;™ the Modes 

Of Understanding j 31 Iddhi j 32 Upeksha ; M 

The Five great Meditations^ which are food 

Sweeter than Amrit 35 for the holy soul ; 

The Jhdnas™ and the Three Chief Refuges? 1 

Also he taught his own how they should dwell ; 

How live, free from the snares of love and wealth ; 

What eat and drink and carry — three plain cloths, — ■ 

Yellow, of stitched stuff, worn with shoulder bare — 

A girdle, almsbowl, strainer. 38 Thus he laid 

The great foundations of our Sangha 39 well, 

That noble Order of the Yellow Robe 

Which to this day standeth to help the World. 

So all that night he spake, teaching the Law : 
And on no eyes fell sleep — for they who heard 
Rejoiced with tireless joy. Also the King, 
When this was finished, rose upon his throne 
And with bared feet bowed low before his Son 
Kissing his hem ; and said, " Take me, O Son ! 
Lowest and le-ast of all thy Company." 
And sweet Yasbdhara, all happy now — 
Cried " Give to Rahula — thou Blessed One ! 
The Treasure of the Kingdom of thy Word 
For his inheritance." Thus passed these Three 
Into the Path. 



164 THE LIGHT OF ASIA. 

Here endeth what I write 
Who love the Master for his love of us. 
A little knowing, little have I told 
Touching the Teacher and the Ways of Peace. 
Forty-five rains thereafter showed he those 
In many lands and many tongues and gave 
Our Asia light, that still is beautiful, 
Conquering the world with spirit of strong grace : 
All which is written in the holy Books, 
And where he passed and what proud Emperors 
Carved his sweet words upon the rocks and caves : 
And how — in fullness of the times — it fell 
The Buddha died, the great Tathagato, 40 
Even as a man 'mongst men, fulfilling all : 
Aid how a thousand thousand crors since then 
F ive trod the path which leads whither he went 
f iito Nirvana where the Silence lives. 



Ah ! Blessed Lord ! Oh, High Deliverer ! 
Forgive this feeble script, which doth thee wrong, 
Measuring with little wit thy lofty Love. 
A.H ! Lover ! Brother ! Guide ! Lamp of the Law ! 
i take my refuge in thy name and thee ! 
i take my refuge in thy law of good ! 
i take my refuge in thy order ! om 1 
The Dew is on the lotus ! — rise, Great Sun ! 
A.ND lift my leaf and mix me with the wave. 
Om mani padme hum, 41 the Sunrise comes ! 
The Dewdrop slips into the shining Sea ! 



&fUr Uteatl) in Arabia. 

BY EDWIN ARM OLD. 

He who died at Azan sends 
This to comfort all his friends : 

Faithful friends ! It lies, I know, 
Pale and white and cold as snow ; 
And ye say, " Abdallah's dead ! " 
Weeping at the feet and head, 
I can see your falling tears, 
I can hear your sighs and prayers ; 
Yet I smile and whisper this, — 
" / am not the thing you kiss ; 
Cease your tears, and let it lie ; 
It was mine, it is not I." 

Sweet friends ! What the women lave 

For its last bed of the grave, 

Is but a hut which I am quitting, 

Is a garment no more fitting, 

Is a cage, from which, at last, 

Like a hawk my soul hath passed. 

Love the inmate, not the room, — 

The wearer, not the garb, — the plume 
165 



l66 AFTER DEATH IN ARABIA. 

Of the falcon, not the bars 
Which kept him from those splendid stars. 
Loving friends ! Be wise and dry- 
Straightway every weeping eye,— 
What ye lift upon the bier 
Is not worth a wistful tear. 
'Tis an empty sea-shell, — one 
Out of which the pearl is gone ; 
The shell is broken, it lies there ; 
The pearl, the all, the soul, is here. 
'Tis an earthen jar, whose lid 
Allah sealed, the while it hid 
That treasure of his treasury, 
A mind that loved him ; let it lie ! 
Let the shard be earth's once more, 
Since the gold shines in his store ! 

Allah glorious ! Allah good ! 
Now thy world is understood ; 
Now the long, long wonder ends ; 
Yet ye weep, my erring friends, 
While the man whom ye call dead, 
In unspoken bliss, instead, 
Lives and loves you ; lost, 'tis true, 
By such light as shines for you ; 
But in the light ye cannot see 
Of unfulfilled felicity, — 
In enlarging paradise, 
Lives a life that never dies. 

Farewell, friends ! Yet not farewell ; 
Where I am, ye, too, shall dwell. 



AFTER DEATH IN ARABIA. 167 

I am gone before your face, 
A moment's time, a little space. 
When ye come where I have stepped 
Ye will wonder why ye wept ; 
Ye will know, by wise love taught, 
That here is all, and there is naught. 
Weep awhile, if ye are fain, — 
Sunshine still must follow rain ; 
Only not at death, — for death, 
Now I know, is that first breath 
Which our souls draw when we enter 
Life, which is of all life center. 

Be ye certain all seems love, 

Viewed from Allah's throne above , 

Be ye stout of heart, and come 

Bravely onward to your home ! 

La Allah ilia Allah ! yea ! 

Thou love divine ! Thou love alway ! 

He that died at Azan gave 

This to those who made his grave. 



BY EDWIN ARNOLD. 

" She is dead ! " they said to him ; " come away ; 
Kiss her and leave her, — thy love is clay ! " 

They smoothed her tresses of dark brown hair; 
On her forehead of stone they laid it fair ; 

Over her eyes that gazed too much 
They drew the lids with a gentle touch ; ■ 

With a tender touch they closed up well 
The sweet thin lips that had secrets to tell ; 

About her brows and beautiful face 
They tied her veil and her marriage lace, 

And drew on her white feet her white silk shoes — ■ 
Which were the whitest no eye could choose — 

And over her bosom they crossed her hands. 

" Come away ! " they said ; " God understands." 

And there was silence, and nothing there 
But silence, and scents of eglantere, 

168 



"he and she. 169 

And jasmine, and roses, and rosemary ; 

And they said, " As a lady should lie, lies she." 

And they held their breath till they left the room, 
With a shudder, to glance at its stillness and gloom. 

But he who loved her too well to dread 
The sweet, the stately, the beautiful dead, 

He lit his lamp and took the key 

And turned it — alone again — he and she. 

He and she ; but she would not speak, 

Though he kissed, in the old place, the quiet cheek. 

He and she ; yet she would not smile, 

Though he called her the name she loved erewhile. 

He and she ; still she did not move 
To any one passionate whisper of love. 

Then he said : " Cold lips and breasts without breath, 
Is there no voice, no language of death ? 

" Dumb to the ear and still to the sense, 
But to heart and to soul distinct, intense ? 

" See now ; I will listen with soul, not ear ; 
What was the secret of dying, dear ? 

" Was it the infinite wonder of all 

That you ever could let life's flower fall ? 



170 "he and she." 

" Or was it a greater marvel to feel 
The perfect calm o'er the agony steal ? 

" Was the miracle greater to find how deep 
Beyond all dreams sank downward that sleep ? 

" Did life roll back its records dear, 

And show, as they say it does, past things clear? 

" And was it the innermost heart of the bliss 
To find out so, what a wisdom love is ? 



{ 



" O perfect dead ! O dead most dear, 
I hold the breath of my soul to hear ! 

" I listen as deep as to horrible hell, 

As high as to heaven, and you do not telL 

" There must be pleasure in dying, sweet, 
To make you so placid from head to feet ! 

" I would tell you, darling, if I were dead, 

And 'twere your hot tears upon my brow shed,— 

" I would say, though the Angel of Death had laid 
His sword on my lips to keep it unsaid. 

" You should not ask vainly, with streaming eyes, 
Which of all deaths was the chiefest surprise, 

" The very strangest and suddenest thing 
Of all the surprises that dying must bring." 



"he and she." 171 

Ah, foolish world ; most kind dead ! 

Though he told me, who will believe it was said ? 

Who will believe that he heard her say, 

With the sweet, soft voice, in the dear old way : 

" The utmost wonder is this, — I hear 

And see you, and love you, and kiss you, dear ; 

" And am your angel, who was your bride, 

And know that, though dead, I have never died." 



mar * S the women of our 1-^^^1^^^^ 
homes bright and cheery, ^othmg ^rs prove thelt 

be as long as the word which *^^Sg it * What a pity that any 
rPffard for decent homes by their inaeiaugaun y olio> it reduces 

o/them should add to their toil K**^^^^ Sold by 
the labor of cleaning and scouring at least one-halt. 

AHEAD OF ALL COMPETITORS. 

and more attractive cover ttan-J-**^ market. ^ ^ ^ 

SEE -WH-A-T IS j^*^ 8h0W8 the appre- 
The following extract from a letter recmiuy r ctmst antly read it : 

elation in which the Library » held bv thosewhc, ^^ 

, " B S°S A I am I..6 - - that 
"Will yon kindly send me two e°^» "library we And greatly preferable to to. 

of its rivals. 

JOHN W. LOVELL CO. **£££* 

14, & ie 7esey Street, Ne^r STo^^- 




XHE BEST 

WASHING COMPOUND 

EVER INVENTED. 
No Lady, Married or 
Single, Rich or Poor* 
Housekeeping or Board- 
ing, will be without it 
after testing its utility. 
Sold by all first-class 
Grocers, but beware of 
worthless imitations. 



JUST PUBLISHED. 

"OUIDA'S" Last and Greatest Novel, 

WANDA, 

COUNTESS VON SZALRAS. 

By "OUIDA," 

Author of "Under Two Flags," "Moths," etc. 
1 vol., 12mo., Cloth, $1.00. Paper Cover, 50 Cents. Also in Lovell's Library, 
No. 112, 12mo , two parts, each 15 Cents. 

" The hand has lost none of its matchless cunning. There are the same 
nvid glimpses— real glimpses— of nature, but le>-8 abandon and profusion; the 
same intense revelations of seething seas of human anguish, but all toned to 
milder measures. The heart has grown richer and mellower with years, and 
there is more spirit and human insight in 'Wanda' than m scores of the 'leading 
novels' of the day. It is full of touching, tender pathos, and for entertainment 
is a perfect gem." —Philadelphia Times. 

" Is one of the gifted 'OuidaV. most brilliant efforts, and will, no doubt, be 
highly appreciated."— N. T. Commercial Advertiser. 

" The latest novel from the pen of the brilliant and prolific 'Ouida.' It is 
a powerful and fascinating work of fiction, deeply inter' sting, with excellent 
character portrayal, and written in that sparkling style for which 'Ouida,' is 
famous. It deserves to take rank by the side of the best of her previous novels, 
and will, undoubtedly, be eagerly sought by her many admirers."— Washington 
Post. 

"This is a Russian story, and of unusual interest." —St. Louis Republican. 

" It is in her best style "-—Progress. 

" The pen that wrote 'Strathmore,' 'Signa,' etc., could produce nothing 
dull. The authoress knows how to warm the feelings and intensify passion ; 
her plots are all fascinating and of absorbing interest, and 'Wanda 1 will be 
found to sustain the brilliant reputation of its writer." — Philadelphia Chronicle- 
Herald. 

UNIFORM WITH ABOVE. 

UNDER TWO FLAGS, 

By "OUIDA," 

1 vol., 12mo., Cloth, Gilt, $1.00. Paper Covers, 50 Cents. Also in Lovell's 
Library, No. 127, two parts, each 20 Cents. 

A Uew Novel by the Author of "MRS. GEOFFREY." 

. LOYS, LORD BERESFORD. 

| By The " DUCHESS." 

1 Author of " MoLy Bawn," " Faith and Unfaith," 'Mrs. Geoffrey," " Portia," 
| etc. 

. -1 Vol., 12mo., Cloth, Gilt, $1 00. Paper Covers, 50 Cents. Also in Lovell's 
Library, No. 12(5, 20 Cents. 
"The same characteristics that have made all the novels of this author 
so immensely popular pervade this last story— life, sparkle, lovely character 
sketching, richly dramatic (high comedy) Situations, and the raciest kind of 
colloquial style. 

JOH* W. LOYELL COMPANY, 

Publishers, 14 <& 16 Vesey St., New York. 



TWO GREAT NOVELS. 

E. 

By HENRY W, LTJCY. 
1 vol. 12mo. Handsome Paper Covers. No. 96 of Lovell's Libbaby. 20c. 

"When 'Gideon Fleyce' has been read, the|answer will be that Mr. 
Lncy has succeeded. He has devised an excellent plot, and he has told it ad- 
mirably. It is partly political ; it is partly a love story, though that element 
has comparatively a small share in it ; and it is a novel of incident. Mr. Lncy's 
comments upon political matters are delightful." — Scotsman. 

" This is one of the cleverest novels we have read for a long time. The 
author is sure to take a high place among contemporary novelists, may perhaps 
some day prove his fitness to rank among the great masters of the craft." — 
Sheffield Independent. 

' ' The novel has remarkable constructive excellence and striking situations. 
The flow of easy humour and the extraordinary perception of the ridiculous 
possessed by the autuor have here most facile display."— Daily News. 

" A very clever novel, and full of promise as a first venture in fiction: a 
highly entertaining story, 'Gideon Fleyce ' is so much above .the average of 
novels that the accession of its author— especially as the creator of " Napper," 
to the rank of writers of fiction is deserving of a very hearty welcome." — 
Academy. 

" That is a powerful scene, and the whole of the sensational plot of which 
this scene is the central point, is managed with an ingenuity worthy almost of 
Wilkie Collins."— Spectator. 

" An excellent story, which has the double interest of an exciting plot 
with telling episodes and of very clever analysis of character." — Times. 

THE GOLDEN SHAFT. 

By CHARLES GIBBON, Author of "Robin Gray," &c. 
1 vol. 12mo. Handsome Paper Covers. No. 57 of Lovell's Library. 20c. 

" Mr. Gibbon is to be congratulated on the character of ' Fiscal ' Musgrave, 
which is as original as it is lifelike, and as attractive as it is original. The 
situation which chiefly displays it is well imagined, powerfully worked out, 
and sufficiently striking in itself."— Academy 

" Excellent in every important respect ; the story is interesting, the plot 
is most ingeniously devised, the characters are cleverly conceived and con- 
sistently drawn, while several of them stand out picturesquely in their quaint 

originality Altogether, we may certainly congratulate Mr. Gibbon on his 

book "—Saturday Review. 

" Mr. Gibbon is at his best in this story. It contains some really powerful 
situations, and its plot is well worked out. The conscientious difficulties of 
the Fiscal, the father of the charming herione, are well developed by Mr. 
Gibbon, and the story will be read with interest throughout."— Manchester 
Examiner. 

" Altogether, the ' Golden Shaft ' is good and fully eqaals, if it does not im- 
prove upon, anything Mr. Gibbon has previously written."— Glasgow Herald. 

"It is pleasant to meet with a work by Mr. Gibbon that will remind his 
readers of the promise of his earliest efforts. The story of Thorburn and his 
family is full of power and pathos, as is the figure of the strong-natured 
Musgrave." — Athenjettm. 

" On the whole, we have seen nothing before of Mr. Gibbon's writing so 
good as this novel." — Daily News. 

For sale by all Newsdealers and Booksellers. The Trade supplied by The 
American News Company and Branches. 

JOHN W. LOVELL CO., 

14 & 16 Vesey St., New York. 



HEALTH and VIGOR 



FOR THE BRAIN AND NERVES. 



W 



03 

s& 1 

fl • o ^ 

a > h o 
9 5 w 

o ft 
o 




o 

3 B B 

W g l> 
o h 5 a 
^ t> o ^ 



ia * 



D H 

fed 



b 

W 
fed 



CROSBY'S VITALIZED FHOS-PHITES. 

This is a standard preparation with all physicians who treat 
nervous and mental disorders. 

Crosby's Vitalized Phos-phites (should be taken as a Special 
Brain Hood. 

To build up worn-out nerves, to banish sleeplessness, neu- 
ralgia and sick headache. — Dr. Gwynn. 

To promote .good digestion. — Dr. Fil/more. 

To " stamp out " consumption. — Dr. Churchill. 

To " completly cure night sweats." — John B. Quigley. 

To maintain the capabilities of the brain and nerves to per- 
form all functions even at the highest tension. — E. L. Kellogg. 

To restore the energy lost by nervousness, debility, over- 
exertion or enervated vital powers. — Dr. W. S. Wells. 

To repair the nerves that have been enfeebled by worry, de- 
pression, anxiety or deep grief. — Miss Mary Rankin. 

To strengthen the intellect so that study and deep mental 
application may be a pleasure and not a trial. — B. M. Couch. 

To develop good teeth, glossy hair, c'ear skin, handsome nails 
in the young, so that they may be an inheritance in later years.— 
Editor School Journal. 

To enlarge the capabilities for enjoyment. — National Journal 
of Education. 

To'* make life a pleasure," "not a daily suffering." "I 
really urge you to put it to the test." — Miss Emily Faithfull. 

To amplify bodily and mental power to the present genera- 
tion and "prove the survival of the fittest " to the next. — Bismarck. 

There is no other Vital Phos-phite, none that Is extracted 
from living animal and vegetable tissues. — Dr. Casper. 

To restore lost powers and abilities. — Dr. Bull. 

For sale by druggists or mail, $1. 
F. CROSBY CO., No. 56 West Twenty-fifth St., New York. 



LOVELL'S LIBRARY.-CATALOGUE. 



185. Mysterious Island, Pt II. 15 
Mysterious Island,PtIII.i5 

186. Tom Brown at Oxford, 

2 Parts, each 15 

187. Thicker than Water. . . .20 

188. In Silk Attire 20 

189- Scottish Chiefs, Part I.. 20 

Scottish Chiefs, Part 1 1. 20 

190. Willy Reilly 20 

191. The Nautz Family 20 

192 . Great Expectations 20 

193. Hist.of Pendennis,Pt I. .20 
Hist. of Pendennis,Pt II 20 

194. Widow Bedott Papers ..20 

195. Daniel Deronda,Part I . .20 
Daniel Deronda, Part II. 20 

196. Altiora Peto 20 

197. By the Gate of the Sea. 15 

198. Tales of a Traveller 20 

199. Life and Voyages of Co- 

lumbus, 2 Parts, each. 20 

200. The Pilgrim's Progress. .20 

201. MartinChuzzlewit.P'rt 1. 20 
Martin Chuzzlewit,P't 11. 20 

202. Theophrastus Such 10 

203. Disarmed 15 

204. Eugene Aram 20 

205. The Spanish Gypsy, &C.20 

206. Cast up by the Sea 20 

207. Mill on the Floss, Part 1. 15 
Mill on the Floss, P't II. 15 

208. Brother Jacob, etc 10 

209. The Executor 20 

210. American Notes 15 

211. The Newcomes, Part I.. 20 
The Newcomes, Part II. 20 

212. The Privateersman 20 

213. The Three Feathers 20 

214. Phantom Fortune 20 

215. The Red Eric 20 

216. Lady Silverdale's Sweet- 

heart . 10 

217. The Four Macnicol's. ..10 
2i8.Mr.PisistratusBro\vn,M.P.io 

219. Dombeyand Son, Part 1. 20 
Dombey and Son, Part 1 1. 20 

220. Book of Snobs 10 

221. Fairy Tales, Illustrated. .20 

222. The Disowned 20 

223. Little Dorrit, Part 1 20 

Little Dorrit, Part II 20 

224. Abbotsford and New- 

stead Abbey 10 

225. Oliver Goldsmith, Black 10 

226. The Fire Brigade 20 

227. Rifle and Hound in Cey- 
lon 20 

228. Our Mutual Friend, P't 1. 20 
. OurMutualFriend.P't II. 20 

229. Paris Sketches 15 

230. Belinda 20 

231. Nicholas Nickleby,P't 1. 20 
NicholasNickleby,P't II. 20 

232. Monarch of Mincing 

Lane 20 

233. Eight Years' Wanderings 

in Ceylon 20 

234. Pictures from Italy 15 

235. Adventures of Philip, Pt 1. 15 
Adventures of Philip, Pt II. 15 

236. Knickerbocker History 

"• of New York 20 



237. The Boy at Mugby 10 

238. The Virginians, Part I.. 20 
The Virginians, Part II. 20 

239. Erling the Bold 20 

240. Kenelm Chillingly 20 

241. Deep Down 20 

242. Samuel Brohl & Co 20 

243. Gautran 20 

244. Bleak House, Part I 20 

Bleak House, Part II . ..20 

245. What Will He Do With 

It ? 2 Parts, each .. 20 

246.SketchesofYoungCouples. 10 

247. Devereux 20 

248. Life of Webster, Part 1. 15 
Life of Webster, Pt. II. 15 

249. The Crayon Papers 20 

250. The Caxtons, Part I 15 

The Caxtons, Part II ... 15 

251. Autobiography of An- 

thony Trollope 20 

252. Critical Reviews, etc. ... 10 

253. Lucretia 20 

254. Peter the Whaler 20 

255. Last of the Barons. Pt 1. 15 
Last of the Barons, Pt. 1 1. 15 

256. Eastern Sketches ..15 

257. All in a Garden Fair 20 

258. File No. 113 20 

259. The Parisians, Part I... 20 
The Parisians, Part 1 1.. 20 

260. Mrs. Darling's Letters. . .20 

261. Master Humphrey's 
Clock 10 

262. Fatal Boots, etc 10 

263. The Alhambra 15 

264. The Four Georges 10 

265. Plutarch's Lives, 5 Pts. $1. 

266. Under the Red Flag 10 

267. TheHaunted House, etc. io 

268. When the Ship Comes 
Home 10 

269. One False, both Fair.... 20 
2 70. The Mudfog Papers, etc. 10 

271. My Novel, 3 Parts, each.20 

272. Conquest of Granada. ..20 

273. Sketches by Boz 20 

274. A Christmas Carol, etc. 15 

275. lone Stewart 20 

276. Harold, 2 Parts, each... 15 

277. Dora Thome 20 

278. Maid of Athens. . 20 

279. Conquest of Spain 10 

280. Fitzboodle Papers, etc 10 

281. Bracebridge Hall 20 

282. Uncommercial Traveller.20 

283. Roundabout Papers 20 

284. Rossmoyne 20 

285. A Legend of the Rhine, 

etc 10 

286. Cox's Diary, etc 10 

287. Beyond Pardon 20 

2S8. Somebody'sLuggage,etc. 10 

289. Godolphin 20 

290. Salmagundi 20 

291. Famous Funny Fellows. 20 

292. Irish Sketches, etc 20 

293. The Battle of Life, etc... 10 

294. Pilgrims of the Rhine. . . 15 

295. Random Shots 20 

296. Men's Wives... 10 

297. Mystery cf Edwin Drood.20 



298. 
299, 
300, 
301. 
302. 
3°3- 
304. 
305. 
306. 

3°7- 
308. 

309- 

310. 

3ii. 
312. 

313- 
314- 
315- 
316. 

317- 
318. 

319- 
320. 
321. 

322. 

323- 
324. 
325- 
326. 

327. 
328. 

329- 
330. 
331- 
332. 
333- 
334. 
335' 
336. 
337- 
338. 
339- 
340. 
34J. 
342. 
343- 
344. 
345- 

346. 
347- 
348. 
349- 
350- 
35*- 

352. 
353- 

354- 
355- 

356. 
357- 
358. 
359- 

360. 



Reprinted Pieces ao 

Astoria 20 

Novels by Eminent Handsio 
Companions of Columbus2o 

No Thoroughfare 10 

Character Sketches, etc. 10 
Christmas Books. . ... .20 

A Tour on the Prairies... 10 

Ballads 15 

Yellowplush Papers. 10 

Life of Mahomet, Part Lis 
Life of Mahomet, Pt. II. 15 
Sketches and Travels in 

London 10 

Oliver Goldsrrrith,Irving.20 
Captain Bonneville .... 20 

Golden Girls 20 

English Humorists 15 

Moorish Chronicles 10 

Winifred Power 20 

Great HoggartyDiamond 10 

Pausanias 15 

. The New Abelard 20 

A Real Queen 20 

, The Rose and the Ring.2d 
Wolfert's Roost and Mis- 
cellanies, by Irving. ... 10 

Mark Seaworth 20 

Life of Paul Jones 20 

, Round the World 20 

Elbow Room 20 

The Wizard's Son 25 

Harry Lorrequer 20 

How It All Came Round.20 
Dante Rosetti's Poems. 20 

The Canon's Ward 20 

Lucile, by O. Meredith. 20 
Every Day Cook Book . . 20 
Lays of Ancient Rome . . 20 

Life of Burns 20 

The Young Foresters. . . 20 
John Bull andHis Island 20 
Salt Water, by Kingston. 20 

The Midshipman 20 

Proctor's Poems 20 

Clayton's Rangers 20 

Schiller's Poems .20 

Goethe's Faust 20 

Goethe's Poems 20 

Life of Thackeray io 

Dante's Vision of Hell, 
Purgatory and Paradise. .20 

An Interesting Case 20 

Life of Byron, Nichol. . . 10 

Life of Bunyan 10 

Valerie's Fate 10 

Grandfather Lickshingle.20 
Lays of the Scottish Ca- 
valiers 20 

Willis' Poems 20 

Tales of the French Re- 
volution 15 

Loom and Lugger ...... 20 

More Leaves from a Life 

in the Highlands 15 

Hygiene of the Brain. ..25 

Berkeley the Banker 20 

Homes Abroad 15 

Scott's Lady of the Lake, 

with notes 2c 

Modem Christianity a ' 
civilized Heathenism. ...k 



— 



THE CELEBRATED 



SOHMER 



Grand, Square and Upright 




PIANOFORTES. 

The demands now made by an educated musical public are so exacting that very few 
Pianoforte Manufacturers can produce Instruments tnat will stand the test which merit 
requires. SOHMER & CO., as Manufacturers, rank amongst these chosen few, who are 
acknowledged to be makers of standard instruments. In these days, when Manufacturers 
urge the low price of their wares rather than their superior quality as an inducement to 
purchase, it may not be amiss to suggest that, in a Piano, quality and price are too in- 
separably joined to expect the one without the other. 

Every Piano ought to be judged as to the quality of its tone, its touch, and its work- 
manship ; if any one of these is wanting in excellence, however good the others may be, 
the instrument will be imperfect. litis the combination of these qualities in the highest 
degree that constitutes the perfect Piano, and it is this combination that has given the 
,l SOHMER" jts honorable position with the trade and the public. 

Received First Prize Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia, 1876. 
Received First Prize at Exhibition, Montreal, Canada, 1881 & 1882. 

SOHMER & CO., Manufacturers, 

149-155 E. 14th St., New York. 



! 

: 



t?i? RflRY 0F CONGRESS 

IBiiMHIl!! aiHiimiimiiiimi 




021 929 723 3 



I V'il 



